: a device designed to mark exact time by a regularly repeated tick
Illustration of metronome
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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 WebBy Anna Gordon May 9, 2024 9:05 AM EDT
Apple’s new iPad Pro ad begins with the ticking of a mechanical metronome, which is a device used to help musicians keep track of timing.—Anna Gordon, TIME, 9 May 2024 Click once to record, once for the metronome, and once for rewinding; double-click to split a clip into two.—PCMAG, 1 May 2024 His music for Cylindrical Forces was like a metronome that kept the energy high and propelled the dancers.—Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 During the concluding march, his entire upper torso swayed in time back and forth like a wind-up metronome.—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for metronome
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metronome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Greek metron + -nomos controlling, from nomos law — more at nimble
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