backbeat

American  

[bak-beet] / ˈbækˌbit /

noun

Popular Music.

1. a secondary or supplementary beat, as by a jazz drummer.

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backbeat British  

/ ˈbækˌbiːt /

noun

1. music the second and fourth beats of a bar written in even time or, in more complex time signatures, the last beat of the bar Compare downbeat upbeat

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Etymology

Origin of backbeat

back ¹ + beat

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

backbeat

The opener, “Rockin’ Shopping Center,” is an ode to sterile suburban hangouts and it’s loaded with early rock ’n’ roll touches—twangy guitars, a strong backbeat and a meaty bassline.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

What had been the backbeat of a bygone epoch, the waltz amazingly survived in the 20th century.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2024

“Deep Blue” touches on Minimalism, psychedelia and traditional jazz, with a steady backbeat, a polytonal piano lick, electric sitar and back-talk from trumpet, clarinet and violin.

From New York Times ● Jan. 12, 2024

Others were written especially for the album, like “Dance Revival,” which features a foot-stomping, hand-clapping backbeat behind the electrifying voice of Jekalyn Carr.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 26, 2023

They created a cultural rumble, a backbeat of intrigue.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 17, 2022