metronome

American  

[me-truh-nohm] / ˈmɛ trəˌnoʊm /

noun

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

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metronome British  

/ ˌmɛtrəˈnɒmɪk, ˈmɛtrəˌnəʊm /

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

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Other Word Forms

• metronomic adjective
• metronomical adjective
• metronomically adverb

Etymology

Origin of metronome

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

Example Sentences

The rhythm of it could be a metronome for this movie’s plot — it whips us around to the point of delighted collapse.

From Los Angeles Times

The young Broad's cricketing hero was Australia metronome Glenn McGrath, and his development was accelerated by a spell as an 18-year-old with Melbourne club Hoppers Crossing.

From BBC

The night sky contains remarkably precise "cosmic clocks": pulsars, which are dense neutron stars that emit radio pulses at steady intervals, ticking like perfectly timed metronomes.

From Science Daily

These are the bluebloods, the old money of the investment world, steady as a metronome and just as thrilling.

From MarketWatch

In between: Kershaw, a metronome of excellence every fifth day, and not nearly enough else.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• timer