cadence
Americannoun
-
cadences
plural
-
rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words.
the cadence of language.
-
(in free verse) a rhythmic pattern that is nonmetrically structured.
-
the beat, rate, or measure of any rhythmic movement.
The chorus line danced in rapid cadence.
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the flow or rhythm of events, especially the pattern in which something is experienced.
the frenetic cadence of modern life.
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a slight falling in pitch of the voice in speaking or reading, as at the end of a declarative sentence.
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the general modulation of the voice.
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Music. a sequence of notes or chords that indicates the momentary or complete end of a composition, section, phrase, etc.
verb (used with object)
noun
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the beat or measure of something rhythmic
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a fall in the pitch of the voice, as at the end of a sentence
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modulation of the voice; intonation
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a rhythm or rhythmic construction in verse or prose; measure
-
the close of a musical phrase or section
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of cadence
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Italian cadenza cadenza
Explanation
The word cadence has its own lovely cadence — rhythm of sound as it's spoken. Cadence has come to mean "the rhythm of sounds" from its root cadere which means "to fall." Originally designating falling tones especially at the end of lines of music or poetry, cadence broadened to mean the rhythms of the tones and sometimes even the rhythm of sounds in general. Think of the cadence of the marching band at a football game or the cadence of the crickets on a warm spring night. You can remember the "fall" idea by thinking of one of the only words that contains it — decadence — which has the prefix de- at the front to mean down, or downfall.
Vocabulary lists containing cadence
Frankenstein
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The Scarlet Letter
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Grade 11, List 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
They had the cadence of a catechism, and evolved into a set of rules recited like a prayer by Yamel, her brother and their aunt around the kitchen table.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
Additionally, executives have debated whether to change the release cadence of certain shows to improve engagement, according to people familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
New DoT rules will make it easier to increase space launch cadence.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
“If you don’t like a party right now, you’re the only one that can change it,” she said in her high-energy cadence.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026
Snapping drums, a flexing of sound, and a high threading of guitar over a smoother cadence and then the man sang.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
A language model can imitate Hemingway’s rhythm but not his soul; it can echo Shakespeare’s cadences but not the consciousness that produced them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025
His patented lingo, cadences, body language and personal style revolutionized and rebuilt the foundation of modern California rap.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2025
He experiments with new tones and cadences; the beats bounce, the production is subdued, but innovative.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2024
Shesol added: “You’re absorbing not just the rhythms and cadences of speech, but you’re absorbing a worldview.”
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 3, 2024
I dressed to their murmurs in the other room, their voices soft but strained, and I wondered if men ever talked like this, if their sorrows ever spilled into these secret cadences.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
Their days are cadenced only by breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a few medical appointments and sporadic detention hearings.
From Seattle Times ● May 30, 2024
No matter how many times I brought it up, Epiphania always gave the same sad answer in her cadenced, Italian accent: "No, you can't buy it! The house is not on the market!"
From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2022
The specialists are cadenced and full of adrenaline, so they can get “caught leaning” when the system is out of rhythm.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 16, 2021
The cadenced distribution of cotton bolls across the picture just over their heads evokes musical notes written on a staff.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2021
The Jefferson style was fluid, lyrical, cadenced, and melodious.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
The psychology of rhythm shows its basal value in cadencing the soul.
From Youth: Its Education, Regimen, and Hygiene by G. Stanley Hall
The fifth, when in the lowest voice, should be used as in two-part counterpoint, except when used in V43 or the cadencing tonic six-four chord.
From A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons by Friedrich Johann Lehmann
Listening fearfully, he heard through these a murmurous baritone cadencing: Talbot Potter declaiming the inwardness of "Roderick Hanscom"; and then—oh, bells of Elfland faintly chiming!—the voice of Wanda Malone!
From Harlequin and Columbine by Booth Tarkington
The six-four chord may be used at the close as the cadencing tonic six-four chord.
From A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons by Friedrich Johann Lehmann
Steadily, lithely, and with never an error the rowers drove through the waves—steadily, and in exact time, their cry arose cadencing each stroke.
From The Prince of India — Volume 01 by Lewis Wallace
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