polyrhythm

noun

poly·​rhythm ˈpä-lē-ˌri-t͟həm 

: the simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in music

polyrhythmic

ˌpä-lē-ˈrit͟h-mik 

adjective

polyrhythmically

ˌpä-lē-ˈrit͟h-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of polyrhythm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arango is a guitarist and bassist from Cuba with deep musical roots in Afro-Cuban polyrhythms and improvisation. — Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Eighties Rush is a beast of its own, with walls of synths and an evolving approach from Peart, who began to embrace polyrhythms and reggae à la his friend Stewart Copeland. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026

Instruments drift in and out, sometimes accreting into subtle polyrhythms or harmonies, and other times lightly undergirding Ederra’s gorgeous runs. — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026

David Byrne needs to figure out the polyrhythms for Talking Heads’ Remain in Light? — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polyrhythm

• algorithm
• logarithm
• rhythm