cadence

[keyd-ns]

noun

1. rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words.

   the cadence of language.

2. (in free verse) a rhythmic pattern that is nonmetrically structured.

3. the beat, rate, or measure of any rhythmic movement.

   The chorus line danced in rapid cadence.

   Synonyms: meter, rhythm, pulse, tempo

4. the flow or rhythm of events, especially the pattern in which something is experienced.

   the frenetic cadence of modern life.

5. a slight falling in pitch of the voice in speaking or reading, as at the end of a declarative sentence.

6. the general modulation of the voice.

7. Music.,  a sequence of notes or chords that indicates the momentary or complete end of a composition, section, phrase, etc.

verb (used with object)

cadenced, cadencing 

1. to make rhythmical.

cadence

/ ˈkeɪdəns /

noun

1. the beat or measure of something rhythmic

2. a fall in the pitch of the voice, as at the end of a sentence

3. modulation of the voice; intonation

4. a rhythm or rhythmic construction in verse or prose; measure

5. the close of a musical phrase or section

Word History and Origins

Origin of cadence¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Italian cadenza cadenza

Word History and Origins

Origin of cadence¹

C14: from Old French, from Old Italian cadenza, literally: a falling, from Latin cadere to fall

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Nvidia’s annual product cadence allows for “the optimization of the entire AI infrastructure,” the analysts said, because customers don’t only want chips, but also to scale out AI deployment.

Read more on MarketWatch

The cadence of only reporting results twice a year could mean investors miss key events entirely, if they happen in a span of a few months.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

I love his cadence, his hustle, his freedom, his words, his confidence and the s— go hard.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A Vandenberg spokesperson said the base expects to maintain “a steady space and test-launch cadence for the remainder of the year” but couldn’t provide exact figures.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This season has had an unusual cadence of episodes, with the first two arriving on a weekly schedule, then biweekly before the arrival of Episode 5, which aired three weeks later on Wednesday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accent 
• inflection 
• intonation 
• lilt 
• tempo