: a steady pronounced rhythm stressing the second and fourth beats of a four-beat measure
Examples of backbeat in a Sentence
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All these songs rely on a strong backbeat more than harmonies or guitar solos, for example.
—
John Lingan, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Tursi further developed the guitar section with a skippy, carefree vibe while dialing up a new wave-era tone and reverb, with drummer Whit Sellers continuing a relentless backbeat.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2025
Their descriptions and accounts have been the backbeat as the franchise moved from Candlestick Park to the shores of McCovey Cove in 2000.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 19 June 2025
For more than 15 years, Adrian Younge has provided the backbeat for a large swath of Black entertainment — literally.
—Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbeat
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John Lingan, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Tursi further developed the guitar section with a skippy, carefree vibe while dialing up a new wave-era tone and reverb, with drummer Whit Sellers continuing a relentless backbeat.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2025
Their descriptions and accounts have been the backbeat as the franchise moved from Candlestick Park to the shores of McCovey Cove in 2000.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 19 June 2025
For more than 15 years, Adrian Younge has provided the backbeat for a large swath of Black entertainment — literally.
—Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbeat
Cite this Entry
“Backbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backbeat. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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backbeat
noun
back·beat
-ˌbēt 
: a steady pronounced rhythm stressing the second and fourth beats of a four-beat measure
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