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
On a team known for no-look passes and flashy finishes, Citron is a metronome.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
To assist with this challenge, a moving light bar at eye level serves as a visual metronome for every inhalation and exhalation (to be done solely through the nose).
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2025
Adding to that, Hader (who, in reality, suffered from debilitating anxiety on the show) was every bit the glue Hartman was, his precise and steady comic rhythm and timing the unwavering metronome that sketch after sketch played along to.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2025
The technique, called external cueing, works by using visual, auditory, or tactile prompts—colored tape on the ground, playing a metronome, or physical vibrations—to engage neural pathways not affected by the disease.
—Grace Browne, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for metronome
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Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
To assist with this challenge, a moving light bar at eye level serves as a visual metronome for every inhalation and exhalation (to be done solely through the nose).
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2025
Adding to that, Hader (who, in reality, suffered from debilitating anxiety on the show) was every bit the glue Hartman was, his precise and steady comic rhythm and timing the unwavering metronome that sketch after sketch played along to.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2025
The technique, called external cueing, works by using visual, auditory, or tactile prompts—colored tape on the ground, playing a metronome, or physical vibrations—to engage neural pathways not affected by the disease.
—Grace Browne, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for metronome
Cite this Entry
“Metronome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metronome. Accessed 29 Mar. 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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