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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Then he taught her to move when a metronome played.

From Salon

He left the room, returning with a metronome whose loud, mechanical clicking lacerated the otherwise-fine mood being created by a Bach record on the turntable.

From Salon

Goalkeeper Ederson, 31, is not the guarantee of reliability he once was while gifted midfield metronome Bernardo Silva is not the influence of old as he reaches 30.

From BBC

In music class, her son used his phone “to record himself, listen to songs, and also as a metronome,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• timer