sixteenth note

noun

: a musical note with the time value of ¹/₁₆ of a whole note see note illustration

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The notes, a treble clef and sixteenth note, have since been covered. —

Julia Meehan, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2023 And true to the form of the original song, the group’s guitarist didn’t miss a single sixteenth note of the instantly-recognizable guitar line. —

Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2022 The first movement’s melodic luxuriance, the menuet’s delicacy and the finale’s theme-and-variations attested to the range of color and attack the CSO winds can conjure at the drop of a sixteenth note. —

Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2020 Banjo player Dave Johnston and mandolinist Jacob Jolliff keep the tempos and the rhythmic pulse churning with fast sixteenth notes surging underneath many of the songs. —

John Adamian, courant.com, 11 Oct. 2019 After minutes of nonstop sixteenth notes, a sonic fatigue can set in, no matter how loud and fast the music. —

Christian Hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, 14 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sixteenth note.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of sixteenth note was circa 1861

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Dictionary Entries Near sixteenth note

sixteen-penny nail

sixteenth note

sixteenth rest

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Sixteenth note.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixteenth%20note. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

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