1
a
: an ordered recurrent alternation of strong and weak elements in the flow of sound and silence in speech
b
: a particular example or form of rhythm
iambic rhythm
2
a
: the aspect of music comprising all the elements (such as accent, meter, and tempo) that relate to forward movement
b
: a characteristic rhythmic pattern
rumba rhythm
c
: the group of instruments in a band supplying the rhythm

called also rhythm section

3
a
: movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements
the rhythms of country life
b
: the repetition in a literary work of phrase, incident, character type, or symbol
4
: a regularly recurrent quantitative change in a variable biological process
a circadian rhythm
compare biorhythm
5
: the effect created by the elements in a play, movie, or novel that relate to the temporal development of the action
6

Examples of rhythm in a Sentence

Jets that cross time zones in a day play havoc with the natural rhythms acquired through evolution. Nancy Shelton, Skeptical Inquirer, May/June 1996
They shattered punk orthodoxy with radical politics and jagged rhythms, their rage captured in brutally succinct outbursts. Matt Diehl, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 1994
I would even say that when the bouncy style is not an attempt to dazzle the reader, or one's self, but to incorporate into American literary prose the rhythms, nuances, and emphases of urban and immigrant speech, the result can sometimes be a language of new and rich emotional subtleties … Philip Roth, Reading Myself and Others, 1975
She walked as Doctor Reefy thought he had never seen anyone walk before. To her whole body there was a swing, a rhythm that intoxicated him. Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio, 1919
At that the others began to gibber in unison, also rising to their feet, spreading their hands and swaying their bodies in rhythm with their chant. H. G. Wells, The Island of Doctor Moreau, 1896
the composer's use of jazz rhythm She enjoyed the quiet rhythms of country life. Travel can disrupt your body's daily rhythm.
Recent Examples on the Web Fruit trees evolved to live in more stable conditions; they’re exquisitely well adapted to the rhythm of a usual year. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 But as the rhythms of daily life set in, so did regret. Kate Talerico, Orange County Register, 11 Mar. 2024 Where birria tacos are served to the rhythm of hip-hop tunes piped through a sound system and Mexican street corn is seasoned like lemon-pepper wings. Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 Early start times are particularly problematic for teens whose circadian rhythms naturally drift later. TIME, 9 Mar. 2024 Discussed in virtually every trade scenario of impact, in and out of the starting lineup and losing rhythm, Russell saved his season — and probably that of the Lakers. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The rest of the team hasn’t been in same sort of rhythm, though, with a 6-4 record in their last 10 games and failing to win more than two straight since early January. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 But that’s part of our identity, our DNA, is getting to the line and guys catching rhythms like that and then playing from there. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 The rhythm of Gaffigan’s introduction was stilted as microphones picked up the muffled messaging from outside. William Earl, Variety, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rhythm.' 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

Middle French & Latin; Middle French rhythme, from Latin rhythmus, from Greek rhythmos, probably from rhein to flow — more at stream

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhythm was in 1560

Dictionary Entries Near rhythm

Cite this Entry

“Rhythm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhythm. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rhythm

noun
1
: a flow of rising and falling sounds in language that is produced in verse by a regular repeating of stressed and unstressed syllables
2
: a flow of sound in music having regular accented beats
3
: a particular or typical pattern of rhythm
4
: a movement or activity in which some action repeats regularly
the rhythm of breathing

Medical Definition

rhythm

noun
1
: a regularly recurrent quantitative change in a variable biological process: as
a
: the pattern of recurrence of the cardiac cycle
an irregular rhythm
b
: the recurring pattern of physical and functional changes associated with the mammalian and especially human sexual cycle
2

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