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

Meanwhile, adding to the sense of crisis, albeit on a different time signature, Venice continues to sink as sea levels rise.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 22, 2022

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

Just listen to “The Temple,” its feverish 7/4 time signature is a nod to Prokofiev’s equally tumultuous seventh piano sonata, with nary a beat to take a breath.

From New York Times ● Oct. 12, 2021

So even though the time signature is often called the "meter" of a piece, one can talk about meter without worrying about the time signature or even being able to read music.

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