A rhythm is a regular series of sounds or movements.
His music of that period fused the rhythms of Jazz with classical forms.
He had no sense of rhythm whatsoever.
She could hear the constant rhythm of his breathing.
Synonyms: beat, swing, accent, pulse More Synonyms of rhythm
2. countable noun
A rhythm is a regular pattern of changes, for example changes in your body, in the seasons, or in the tides.
Begin to listen to your own body rhythms.
...the seasonal rhythm of the agricultural year.
More Synonyms of rhythm
rhythm in British English
(ˈrɪðəm)
noun
1.
a.
the arrangement of the relative durations of and accents on the notes of a melody, usually laid out into regular groups (bars) of beats, the first beat of each bar carrying the stress
b.
any specific arrangement of such groupings; time
quadruple rhythm
2. (in poetry)
a.
the arrangement of words into a more or less regular sequence of stressed and unstressed or long and short syllables
b.
any specific such arrangement; metre
3.
(in painting, sculpture, architecture, etc) a harmonious sequence or pattern of masses alternating with voids, of light alternating with shade, of alternating colours, etc
4.
any sequence of regularly recurring functions or events, such as the regular recurrence of certain physiological functions of the body, as the cardiac rhythm of the heartbeat
Derived forms
rhythmless (ˈrhythmless)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from Latin rhythmus, from Greek rhuthmos; related to rhein to flow
rhythm in American English
(ˈrɪðəm)
noun
1.
a.
flow, movement, procedure, etc. characterized by basically regular recurrence of elements or features, as beat, or accent, in alternation with opposite or different elements or features
the rhythm of speech, dancing, the heartbeat, etc.
b.
such recurrence; pattern of flow or movement
2.
an effect of ordered movement in a work of art, literature, drama, etc. attained through patterns in the timing, spacing, repetition, accenting, etc. of the elements
3. Biology
a periodic occurrence in living organisms of specific physiological changes, as the menstrual cycle, or a seasonal or daily variation in some activity, as sleep or feeding, in response to geophysical factors
4. Music
a.
basically regular recurrence of grouped strong and weak beats, or heavily and lightly accented tones, in alternation; arrangement of successive tones, usually in measures, according to their relative accentuation and duration
b.
the form or pattern of this
waltz rhythm
see also time, tempo, meter1
5. Prosody
a.
basically regular recurrence of grouped stressed and unstressed, long and short,or high-pitched and low-pitched syllables in alternation; arrangement of successive syllables, as in metrical units (feet) or cadences, according to their relative stress, quantity, or pitch
b.
the form or pattern of this
iambic rhythm
Derived forms
rhythmic (ˈrhythmic) (ˈrɪðmɪk)
adjective or ˈrhythmical
rhythmically (ˈrhythmically)
adverb
Word origin
< Fr or L: Fr rythme < L rhythmus < Gr rhythmos, measure, measured motion < base of rheein, to flow: see stream
Examples of 'rhythm' in a sentence
rhythm
Most of the tracks include guest appearances from the rhythm sections of the original bands.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It took me time to find my rhythm on the court.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It is not clear why people do not have a 24-hour circadian rhythm.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
But it's not only sleep that is influenced by circadian rhythms.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He may still do so but must now factor in that some of his senior players are bereft of confidence and need to find some rhythm again.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You need to see the rhythm section in the flesh, yet this concise set gives you a sense of what the excitement is all about.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In the opening stages, Wasps were clearly taking time to find their rhythm.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Few areas of life went unscathed as seasonal habits and rhythms were jolted out of existence.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Just listen to the music and let your body follow the rhythm.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is a rhythm and discernible pattern to their game emerging.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You could do this song with a driving rhythm section or a classically trained choir.
Christianity Today (2000)
Music imposes its rhythm not just on listeners but also on hearers.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You are directing and providing the rhythm and the melody.
The Sun (2009)
He regularly complains about not finding the right rhythm.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The patterns and rhythms that we established and worked on have helped to connect us.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There were also times in his early career when entire rhythm sections refused to accompany him.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
So it was all melody and rhythm.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He continues to look like a batsman not getting enough cricket to find his rhythm.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He leaves no holes for the rhythm section.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Deep in the middle of our brain there is a clock that controls the daily rhythms of our body.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Choose some music which makes you feel like dancing because this can help you to keep a steady rhythm.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley Stay Well This Winter (1989)
Breathe in and out slowly and in a regular, controlled rhythm for at least three minutes.
The Sun (2015)
Their body systems work less efficiently, with diminishing hormones and natural changes in body rhythms.
Mayes, Kathleen Beat Jet Lag - arrive alert and stay alert (1991)
He has his own pattern of rhythms, and he has his own pattern of attention spans.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
And breathe, in a regular rhythm.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The rhythm of the year which has been kept for centuries by the Church across theworld may have something to offer you.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quotations
It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that SwingDuke Ellingtonsong title
Word lists with
rhythm
terms used in architecture
In other languages
rhythm
British English: rhythm /ˈrɪðəm/ NOUN
A rhythm is a regular series of sounds, movements, or actions.
...the rhythm of the music.
American English: rhythm
Arabic: إِيْقاع
Brazilian Portuguese: ritmo
Chinese: 节奏
Croatian: ritam
Czech: rytmus
Danish: rytme
Dutch: ritme
European Spanish: ritmo compás
Finnish: rytmi
French: rythme
German: Rhythmus
Greek: ρυθμός
Italian: ritmo
Japanese: リズム
Korean: 리듬
Norwegian: rytme
Polish: rytm
European Portuguese: ritmo
Romanian: ritm
Russian: ритм
Latin American Spanish: ritmo cadencia, son
Swedish: rytm
Thai: จังหวะ
Turkish: ritim
Ukrainian: ритм
Vietnamese: nhịp điệu
All related terms of 'rhythm'
beta rhythm
the normal electrical activity of the cerebral cortex , occurring at a frequency of 13 to 30 hertz and detectable with an electroencephalograph
body rhythm
biorhythm
rhythm band
a band that plays percussion instruments, specif. one composed of children who do so in order to learn about musical rhythm
alpha rhythm
the normal bursts of electrical activity from the cerebral cortex of a drowsy or inactive person, occurring at a frequency of 8 to 12 hertz and detectable with an electroencephalograph
delta rhythm
the normal electrical activity of the cerebral cortex during deep sleep , occurring at a frequency of 1 to 4 hertz and detectable with an electroencephalograph
rhythm guitar
a guitar used to provide rhythm , particularly during a musical ensemble
rhythm method
The rhythm method is a practice in which a couple try to prevent pregnancy by having sex only at times when the woman is not likely to become pregnant .
sprung rhythm
a type of poetic rhythm characterized by metrical feet of irregular composition , each having one strongly stressed syllable , often the first, and an indefinite number of unstressed syllables
rhythm section
The rhythm section of a band is the musicians whose main job is to supply the rhythm. It usually consists of bass and drums, and sometimes keyboard instruments.
rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues is a style of popular music developed in the 1940's from blues music, but using electrically amplified instruments . The abbreviation → R&B is also used.
beta wave
any of the electrical waves from the parietal-frontal regions of the brain , having frequencies from 13 to 30 hertz : a sign of mental activity and alertness
delta wave
any of the slowest electrical brain waves, having frequencies less than four hertz and indicating, in adults , deep sleep or brain disease
theta wave
any of the electrical brain waves having a frequency between four and eight hertz and associated with a drowsy , semiconscious state of mind
Chinese translation of 'rhythm'
rhythm
(ˈrɪðm)
n
(c/u)[of drums, music]节(節)奏 (jiézòu) (个(個), gè)
(c)[of body, tides, seasons]周(週)期 (zhōuqī)
1 (noun)
Definition
the arrangement of the durations of and stress on the notes of a piece of music, usually laid out in regular groups (bars) of beats
His music fused the rhythms of jazz and classical music.
Synonyms
beat
the dance beats of the last two decades
swing
accent
Talk very fast and put an accent on every third word.
pulse
the repetitive pulse of the music
tempo
Elgar supplied his work with precise indications of tempo.
cadence
There was a sudden shift in the cadence of the music.
lilt
Her voice has a West Country lilt.
2 (noun)
Definition
(in poetry) the arrangement of words to form a regular pattern of stresses
the rhythm and rhyme inherent in nursery rhymes
Synonyms
metre
time
A reel is in four-four time.
measure (prosody)
stress
flow
cadence
3 (noun)
Definition
any regular pattern that occurs over a period of time
This is the rhythm of the universe.
Synonyms
pattern
movement
flow
watching the quiet flow of the olive-green water
periodicity
recurrent nature
Quotation
It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing [Duke Ellington – song title]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accent
Definition
the stress on a syllable or musical note
Talk very fast and put an accent on every third word.
Synonyms
stress,
force,
beat,
emphasis,
rhythm,
cadence,
timbre,
accentuation,
ictus
in the sense of cadence
There was a sudden shift in the cadence of the music.
Synonyms
rhythm,
beat,
measure,
metre,
pulse,
throb,
tempo,
swing,
lilt
in the sense of flow
Definition
the act, rate, or manner of flowing
watching the quiet flow of the olive-green water
Synonyms
stream,
current,
movement,
motion,
course,
issue,
flood,
drift,
tide,
spate,
gush,
flux,
outpouring,
outflow,
undertow,
tideway
Synonyms of 'rhythm'
rhythm
Explore 'rhythm' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of lilt
Definition
(in music) a jaunty rhythm
Her voice has a West Country lilt.
Synonyms
rhythm,
intonation,
cadence,
beat,
pitch,
swing,
sway
in the sense of movement
Synonyms
rhythm,
beat,
measure,
pace,
swing,
metre,
tempo,
cadence
in the sense of pulse
Definition
a regular beat or vibration
the repetitive pulse of the music
Synonyms
beat,
rhythm,
vibration,
beating,
stroke,
throb,
throbbing,
oscillation,
pulsation
in the sense of tempo
Definition
the speed at which a piece of music is played or meant to be played
Elgar supplied his work with precise indications of tempo.
Synonyms
pace,
time,
rate,
beat,
measure,
speed,
metre,
rhythm,
cadence,
pulse
in the sense of time
Definition
a specific system having a specific number of beats in each grouping or bar