rhythm

[ rith-uhm ]

noun

1. movement or procedure with uniform or patterned recurrence of a beat, accent, or the like.
2. Music.
   1. the pattern of regular or irregular pulses caused in music by the occurrence of strong and weak melodic and harmonic beats:

      She taught us the song, tapping out the rhythm for us on the table.

   2. a particular form of this:

      duple rhythm; triple rhythm.

3. measured movement, as in dancing.
4. Art, Literature. a patterned repetition of a motif, formal element, etc., at regular or irregular intervals in the same or a modified form:

   I loved the pattern and rhythm of her story, with the repeating line about ancestors being proud of her actions.

5. the effect produced in a play, film, novel, etc., by the combination or arrangement of formal elements, as length of scenes, speech and description, timing, or recurrent themes, to create movement, tension, and emotional value in the development of the plot.
6. Prosody.
   1. metrical or rhythmical form; meter; cadence:

      Most of her poems are free verse and do not follow a strict rhythm.

   2. a particular kind of metrical form:

      Iambic rhythm has been the principal mode of English poetry since Chaucer.

   3. metrical movement.
7. the pattern of recurrent strong and weak accents, vocalization and silence, and the distribution and combination of these elements in speech.
8. Physiology. the regular recurrence of an action or function, as of the beat of the heart, or the menstrual cycle:

   Waking up at the same time each day is good for your circadian rhythm—your 24-hour "body clock."

9. procedure marked by the regular recurrence of particular elements, phases, etc.:

   the rhythm of the seasons.

   Synonyms: cadence, pulse, flow

10. regular recurrence of elements in a system of motion.

rhythm

/ ˈrɪðəm /

noun

1. 1. the arrangement of the relative durations of and accents on the notes of a melody, usually laid out into regular groups ( bars ) of beats, the first beat of each bar carrying the stress
   2. any specific arrangement of such groupings; time

      quadruple rhythm

2. in poetry
   1. the arrangement of words into a more or less regular sequence of stressed and unstressed or long and short syllables
   2. any specific such arrangement; metre
3. (in painting, sculpture, architecture, etc) a harmonious sequence or pattern of masses alternating with voids, of light alternating with shade, of alternating colours, etc
4. any sequence of regularly recurring functions or events, such as the regular recurrence of certain physiological functions of the body, as the cardiac rhythm of the heartbeat

rhythm

1. The “beat” of music; the regular pattern of long and short notes. Certain kinds of music, such as blues or marches, have a very characteristic rhythm. Rhythm, harmony , and melody are elements of music.

Derived Forms

• ˈrhythmless, adjective

Other Words From

• rhythm·less adjective
• non·rhythm noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhythm¹

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin rhythmus, from Greek rhythmós; compare rheîn “to flow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhythm¹

C16: from Latin rhythmus , from Greek rhuthmos ; related to rhein to flow

Example Sentences

Millions of workers are unemployed, countless businesses are closed, and for many, the rhythms of work life may have been permanently changed.

From FiveThirtyEight

HeartMath’s Inner Balance sensor for iPhone and Android measures heart rhythm patterns to gauge users’ emotional states with an app that also includes guided meditations, real-time coaching tips, and journaling.

From Fortune

The refs themselves were out of rhythm and needed time to readjust to the speed of the game.

From FiveThirtyEight

One big question, though, is whether women will turn out at high rates this year, with their kids out of school and the ordinary rhythms of life and work in disarray.

From FiveThirtyEight

There’s almost a musicality and rhythm to the way he speaks.

From Washington Blade

Sometimes a column has the economy and rhythm of a short story.

From The Daily Beast

Royal Christmases have a rhythm and routine—but this year Will, Kate, and baby George have their own, more relaxed plans.

From The Daily Beast

A car parked at a red light honked its horn in rhythm with the chant as the crowd passed in front of it.

From The Daily Beast

Most rhythm sections play pretty straight, but we were pushing him, the way we were with Miles.

From The Daily Beast

I never got a definitive answer, but I think he was used to having a rhythm section that would not be that dynamic under him.

From The Daily Beast

The significance of time is determined by the movement of any selection, or, in other words, the rhythm.

From Project Gutenberg

The reason we associate rhythm with the significance of time is that rhythm is a measurer of time.

From Project Gutenberg

The rhythm of a simple tune plays favourably on a child's ear, enhancing life according to this great law.

From Project Gutenberg

Much more attention should be given than is ordinarily devoted to the consideration of rhythm.

From Project Gutenberg

Their music is entirely of a light character, but they have rhythm and grace in a remarkable degree.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cadence
• flow
• movement
• pattern
• pulse
• swing
• tempo