noun
cadence
KAY-duhns
Cadence (noun) means a rhythmic flow or beat, especially in speech, music, or movement. Example: “The poet read with a slow, deliberate cadence.”
noun
1
A rhythmic flow or beat, especially in speech, music, or movement.
"The poet read with a slow, deliberate cadence."
"Runners fell into the same steady cadence along the trail."
2
(music) A sequence of chords that brings a musical phrase or piece to a close.
"The symphony ended on a triumphant cadence."
3
(cycling) The rate at which a cyclist pedals, measured in revolutions per minute.
"She kept a high cadence on the climb to save her legs."
How to use cadence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rhythmic pattern — in speech, music, running, or cycling.
Common pairings
a steady cadence
rhythmic cadence
pedal cadence
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Word forms
- Plural
- cadences
- Third person singular
- cadences
- Past tense
- cadenced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The poet read with a slow, deliberate _____.
Etymology
Via Middle French cadence from Old Italian cadenza ("a falling"), from Latin cadere, "to fall" — the same root behind "cadenza" and "chance."
Related words
Rhymes for cadence
See all rhymes for cadence →Frequently asked questions
What does “cadence” mean?
The word “cadence” means a rhythmic flow or beat, especially in speech, music, or movement. In plain terms, a rhythmic pattern — in speech, music, running, or cycling.
How do you pronounce “cadence”?
“Cadence” is pronounced KAY-duhns (/ˈkeɪ̯dəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “cadence” in a sentence?
Here is “cadence” used in a sentence: “The poet read with a slow, deliberate cadence.”
What part of speech is “cadence”?
“Cadence” is a noun.
Where does the word “cadence” come from?
The word “cadence” comes from Latin. Via Middle French cadence from Old Italian cadenza ("a falling"), from Latin cadere, "to fall" — the same root behind "cadenza" and "chance.".
How many meanings does “cadence” have?
“Cadence” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rhythmic flow or beat, especially in speech, music, or movement.
