tandem

[tan-duhm]

adverb

1. one following or behind the other.

   to drive horses tandem.

adjective

1. having animals, seats, parts, etc., arranged tandem or one behind another.

noun

1. a vehicle, as a truck, tractor, or trailer, in which a pair or pairs of axles are arranged in tandem.

2. tandem bicycle.

3. tandem trailer.

4. a team of horses harnessed one behind the other.

5. a two-wheeled carriage with a high driver's seat, drawn by two or more horses so harnessed.

6. any of various mechanisms having a tandem arrangement.

tandem

/ ˈtændəm /

noun

1. a bicycle with two sets of pedals and two saddles, arranged one behind the other for two riders

2. a two-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses harnessed one behind the other

3. a team of two horses so harnessed

4. any arrangement of two things in which one is placed behind the other

5. together or in conjunction

adjective

1. used as, used in, or routed through an intermediate automatic telephone exchange

   a tandem exchange

adverb

1. one behind the other

   to ride tandem

Word History and Origins

Origin of tandem¹

First recorded in 1735–45; special use (originally facetious) of Latin tandem “at length, finally,” equivalent to tam “so far” + -dem, demonstrative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of tandem¹

C18: whimsical use of Latin tandem at length, to indicate a vehicle of elongated appearance

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in tandem,

   1. in single file.

      They swam in tandem.

   2. in association or partnership.

Example Sentences

But on Saturday, the Trojans improved front will be tested by one of the better running back tandems in college football.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bitcoin and its peers tend to move in tandem with other risk assets, such as growth stocks.

Read more on Barron's

In tandem, audiobook walking clubs have popped up across the country from Washington, D.C., to Tennessee.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Silver has advanced in tandem with gold this year, but at a much faster pace.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Even Treasuries sold off in tandem, defying the usual safety trade.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• club 
• company 
• lineup 
• organization 
• party 
• side 
• squad 
• unit