Illustration of metronome
metronome
noun
met·ro·nome
ˈme-trə-ˌnōm 
: something (such as a device or app) designed to mark an exact tempo or rhythm by regularly repeated sounds or flashes
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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
By detecting when atoms absorb the laser light most strongly, scientists can use the laser as a metronome.
—
Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
The windshield wipers ticked like a metronome.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
The top bar includes icons for triggering the various windows, a transport bar for recording and playback, and more icons for a count-off, a guitar tuner, loop recording, and a metronome.
—Jamie Lendino, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Her grinding against the moss is as rhythmic as the beat of a metronome.
—Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for metronome
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Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
The windshield wipers ticked like a metronome.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
The top bar includes icons for triggering the various windows, a transport bar for recording and playback, and more icons for a count-off, a guitar tuner, loop recording, and a metronome.
—Jamie Lendino, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Her grinding against the moss is as rhythmic as the beat of a metronome.
—Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
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 Apr. 2026.
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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