Illustration of metronome
metronome
noun
met·ro·nome
ˈme-trə-ˌnōm 
: a device designed to mark exact time by a regularly repeated tick
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The patent for the metronome was entered in 1816: "John Malzl [sic], of Poland-street, Middlesex, Machinist; for an instrument . . . which he denominates a Metronome, or musical time-keeper." The courts, however, later proved that the aforementioned Johann Maelzel copied a pendulum design of Dietrich Winkel, making Winkel the actual inventor. Nonetheless, Maelzel was the more successful marketer of the metronome and even has a notation named after him. The "M.M." in notations like "M.M. = 60" stands for "Maelzel's metronome" and indicates a tempo of 60 beats per minute or a beat per tick of the metronome as it ticks 60 times, in the case of our example. The name of the invention itself is based on the Greek words metron, meaning "measure," and nomos, meaning "law."
Examples of metronome in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This metronome light system is a new technological advancement in natural sleep aids.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
The static figures act like a metronome, marking time between the stanzas of his sharp-witted soliloquies and dialogues; the gestures and expressions function as stage directions.
—Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
If ever there was a metronome of equanimity in shot-making and mental approach, the baton has passed from the Serb to the Italian.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
There are wooden beds with large crystals pointed at the head; copper tubs with crystals pointed where a faucet might be; deck chairs facing metronomes; doorways with crystals mounted on every surface.
—Marisa Meltzer, ARTnews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metronome
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Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
The static figures act like a metronome, marking time between the stanzas of his sharp-witted soliloquies and dialogues; the gestures and expressions function as stage directions.
—Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
If ever there was a metronome of equanimity in shot-making and mental approach, the baton has passed from the Serb to the Italian.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
There are wooden beds with large crystals pointed at the head; copper tubs with crystals pointed where a faucet might be; deck chairs facing metronomes; doorways with crystals mounted on every surface.
—Marisa Meltzer, ARTnews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metronome
Cite this Entry
“Metronome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metronome. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
metronome
noun
met·ro·nome
ˈme-trə-ˌnōm
: an instrument that ticks regularly to help a music student play in exact time
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