metronome

What it means

1. entertainmentA device, containing an inverted pendulum, used to mark time by means of regular ticks at adjustable intervals; an electronic equivalent that emits flashes.

   The etudes with metronome markings should be played in tempo, all others should be considered rubato.

   2007, Michele Weir, Jazz Piano Handbook, Alfred Music Publishing, →ISBN, page 110

   1 more example

   It’s one of the earliest pieces in the comprehensive collection of metronomes by the British instrument dealer Tony Bingham, which forms the bulk of the Basel exhibition.

   2017 June 30, Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, “Ticktock as Taskmaster: A Show About Metronomes and Musical Time”, in The New York Times

In a sentence

The etudes with metronome markings should be played in tempo, all others should be considered rubato.

2007, Michele Weir, Jazz Piano Handbook, Alfred Music Publishing, →ISBN, page 110

Where it comes from

1. Ancient Greekμέτρον“measure”
2. Englishmetronome

Coined in English from Ancient Greek μέτρον (métron, “measure”) + νόμος (nómos, “regulation, law”).