time signature

American  

noun

Music.

1. a numerical or other indication at the beginning of a piece showing the meter.

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time signature British  

noun

1. music a sign usually consisting of two figures, one above the other, the upper figure representing the number of beats per bar and the lower one the time value of each beat. This sign is placed after the key signature at the outset of a piece or section of a piece

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Etymology

Origin of time signature

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

time signature

From its 1974 debut album to 2015, when the band played a farewell show at the Forum, Rush was the standard-bearer for elaborate, multi-part songs full of falsetto hollers, time signature changes and drum solos.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2023

Its 4/4 time signature all too apparent, the music was less immersive than propulsive.

From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2023

By “that” I meant the time signature changes, the instrumentation, and the unpredictable chords that allowed the melody to flow over them and carry the power of Warwick’s performance downstream.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 10, 2023

As she sings, her vocals occupy a different time signature to the rhythm track, creating a destabilising dissonance that heightens the sense of unease.

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2022

But how long each note actually lasts depends on the time signature and the tempo.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones