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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• metronomic adjective
• metronomical adjective
• metronomically 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

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.

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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.

Read more on Science Daily

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

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

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Then he taught her to move when a metronome played.

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Related Words

• timer