polyrhythm

[ pol-ee-rith-uhm ]

noun

, Music.

1. the simultaneous occurrence of sharply contrasting rhythms within a composition.

polyrhythm

/ ˈpɒlɪˌrɪðəm /

noun

1. music a style of composition in which each part exhibits different rhythms

Other Words From

• poly·rhythmic adjective
• poly·rhythmi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyrhythm¹

First recorded in 1925–30; poly- + rhythm