cadence

American  

[keyd-ns] / ˈkeɪd ns /

noun

• cadences
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cadences
  plural

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

See Examples For:

cadence cadences cadenced cadencing

The good set of results and a small raise in guidance are welcome after concerns were raised about the health of the luxury consumer and about the cadence of Ferrari’s own margin development, it adds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

The increased cadence of releases “supports our view that Meta Superintelligence Labs has moved beyond rebuilding the company’s training and post-training stack and into a faster, more predictable product cycle,” according to Deutsche Bank’s Black.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

When he speaks of Likho, he speaks with a tender cadence and dignified countenance, as if he were his own.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

In front of a crowd, Forstag can be halting; he hasn’t yet located his natural cadence, which causes him to sometimes appear a bit hesitant.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

Since these speeches were in part rehearsal for when, as the local Member of the Legislative Assembly, Comrade Pillai would address thronging millions, there was something odd about their pitch and cadence.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

While the bots are getting slightly better at mimicking human cadences, AI-generated writing still reeks of the sterile laboratory where it originates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026

He experiments with new tones and cadences; the beats bounce, the production is subdued, but innovative.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2024

He has had to learn the playbook, pre-snap cadences, even how to put his pads on.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2024

Jackson’s ringing oratory to the delegates at that year’s Democratic convention built with the cadences and rhythm of his years as a Baptist preacher.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2024

Their words melt into the sound of water lapping against children—the steamy Accra air softening even the crisp cadences of their accents.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

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

As Obama spoke, compassionate and cadenced, American flags fluttering behind him, Blaine shifted, sighed, leaned back on the couch.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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 Lehmann, Friedrich Johann

The cadencing of a musical phrase in Hawaiian song was marked by a peculiarity all its own.

From Unwritten Literature of Hawaii The Sacred Songs of the Hula by Emerson, Nathaniel Bright

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 Lehmann, Friedrich Johann

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 Tarkington, Booth

My wife, who has not the slightest suspicion that I am a Jew, is not a little astonished by this peculiar musical wail, this trilling and cadencing.

From Jewish Literature and Other Essays by Karpeles, Gustav

Related Words

• accent
• inflection
• intonation
• lilt
• tempo