Metronome
/ˈmɛtrəˌnoʊm/noun
A device that produces regular ticks to mark musical tempo.
Did you know?The word was coined in the early 19th century from Greek roots, and the same meter-root also gave us words about measuring, poetry, and even the idea of a mother country in some ancient forms.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
métron (μέτρον)
“a measure, limit, or proportion”
Ancient Greek
Greek
nómos (νόμος)
“law, custom, or rule”
Early 19th Century
French
métronome
“a device for marking musical time”
1820s
English
metronome
“a mechanical device that ticks at a regular tempo”
Modern English
English
metronome
“a device used by musicians to keep steady time”
Explore more surprising origins