cadence

American  

[keyd-ns] / ˈkeɪd 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.

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verb (used with object)

cadenced, cadencing

1. to make rhythmical.

cadence British  

/ 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

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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.

Example Sentences

I was out of breath because I was pedaling at my regular cadence, but each stroke had a lot more power.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

They will not be able to change reporting cadence during the fiscal year.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Qualcomm announced two chip-based accelerator cards and data-center racks in October as part of a plan to release multiple generations of data-center AI inference products on an annual cadence.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

These differences reflect the influence of indigenous languages - Nigeria has more than 500 languages which shape its cadence and intonation, while Kenya's Bantu, Nilotic and Cushitic mix give rise to its own accents.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

It took only seconds for a thunderous percussion of goatskin drums to join the singing, and instinctively Koffi's own heart attuned to their pounding cadence.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• accent
• inflection
• intonation
• lilt
• tempo