metronome

[ me-truh-nohm ]

noun

1. a mechanical or electrical instrument that makes repeated clicking sounds at an adjustable pace, used for marking rhythm, especially in practicing music.

metronome

/ ˈmɛtrəˌnəʊm; ˌmɛtrəˈnɒmɪk /

noun

1. a mechanical device which indicates the exact tempo of a piece of music by producing a clicking sound from a pendulum with an adjustable period of swing

Derived Forms

• metronomic, adjective

Other Words From

• met·ro·nom·ic [me-tr, uh, -, nom, -ik], metro·nomi·cal adjective
• metro·nomi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of metronome¹

1810–20; metro- ¹ + -nome < Greek nómos rule, law

Word History and Origins

Origin of metronome¹

C19: from Greek metron measure + nomos rule, law

Example Sentences

Larson, mused Ben Brantley in the New York Times in 2001, “seems to have lived his life and composed his music to the rhythm of some cosmic metronome, noisily decapitating the seconds.”

From Vox

Still, its metronome and recording functions are helpful learning tools—they just require some user control.

From Popular-Science

The orange dove, for example, sounds like a ticking metronome.

From Popular-Science

These rhythms, called brain waves, are like a metronome or internal clock.

From Singularity Hub 

Most important, it’s become the metronome for my day, forcing me to stand up and flip or change the record every 20 minutes or so.

From Outside Online

So still was the place that the caged cricket hanging from the eaves of Um's distant room beat time like an elfin metronome.

From Project Gutenberg

It is another question whether we can by this means attain the necessary universal use of the metronome.

From Project Gutenberg

When I 'go into training,' I find the best means to attain velocity is to work with the metronome.

From Project Gutenberg

One can't jump at once into the necessary agility, and the metronome is a great help in bringing one up to the right pitch.

From Project Gutenberg

As for the metronome, I approve of it to cultivate the sense of rhythm in those who are lacking in this particular sense.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• timer