noun

metronome

MET-ruh-nohm/ˈmetrənəʊm/

A device that marks a steady musical beat.

The metronome's weighted pendulum swings back and forth to mark a steady beat.

Classic wooden pyramidal mechanical metronome with upright pendulum rod, sliding brass weight and a single faint neighboring motion trace showing steady oscillation; essential scale ticks only, no words.

Etymology

The pieces combine 'measure' with 'regulate': a metronome regulates musical time. Its steady beat gives musicians a recurring measure against which to keep their pace.

In context

Didge Project1:25

set the metronome at a pretty slow tempo 80 beats per minute and we're just going to work on clapping once every four beats

Improve Your Musical Rhythm w/ Metronome Exercises (no instrument needed)

More examples

Set the metronome to sixty beats per minute.
She practices the difficult passage slowly with a metronome.
Some metronomes flash a light with each beat.

Forms

metronome · metronomes

metronomic adjective — Keeping a steady, mechanically regular rhythm.

Similar words

click track: A recorded beat guide rather than a separate timekeeping device.