Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A device used to mark time by means of regularly recurring ticks or flashes at adjustable intervals.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A mechanical contrivance for marking time, especially as an aid in musical study or performance.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun An instrument consisting of a short pendulum with a sliding weight. It is set in motion by clockwork, and serves to measure time in music.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun music a device, containing an inverted pendulum, used to mark time by means of regular ticks at adjustable intervals; an electronic equivalent that emits flashes

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun clicking pendulum indicates the exact tempo of a piece of music

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Greek metron, measure; see mē- in Indo-European roots + Greek nomos, rule, division; see nem- in Indo-European roots.]

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Examples

  • Along with the metronome, which is a key tool in ChiRunning and ChiWalking, the other important accessory is a good watch.

    ChiRunning Danny Dreyer 2009

  • The metronome is the best tool for learning how to lengthen or shorten your stride relative to your speed.

    ChiRunning Danny Dreyer 2009

  • The most interesting product of the last couple of days is the Wetronome waterproof metronome, which is yellow and rubbery and pretty-much useless unless you're a world-class swimmer, of course.

    Cute Aluminium sound box for your Mac 2004

  • The most interesting product of the last couple of days is the Wetronome waterproof metronome, which is yellow and rubbery and pretty-much useless unless you're a world-class swimmer, of course.

    Archive 2004-12-01 2004

  • An instrument called a metronome may be had from a music shop (used for keeping time in practising), if a book be read aloud by the stammerer, pronouncing one syllable only to each beat, he will soon gain complete control of his voice.

    Papers on Health John Kirk

  • One can't jump at once into the necessary agility, and the metronome is a great help in bringing one up to the right pitch.

    Piano Mastery Talks with Master Pianists and Teachers Harriette Brower 1898

  • The metronome is the same in all editions, 100 to the eighth.

    Chopin : the Man and His Music James Huneker 1890

  • The metronome is the same in all editions, 160 to the quarter, but speed should give way to breadth at all hazards.

    Chopin : the Man and His Music James Huneker 1890

  • At times the concept is quite ambiguous, but to be honest, the dramatic music, the time changes and dynamics that would break a metronome (Meshuggah, if you're reading this, listen to this band ... they can get it right) 1.!

    Latest reviews @ Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website 2010

  • At times the concept is quite ambiguous, but to be honest, the dramatic music, the time changes and dynamics that would break a metronome (Meshuggah, if you're reading this, listen to this band ... they can get it right) 1.!

    Latest reviews @ Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website 2010

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