n.1 a measured flow of words and phrases in verse or prose determined by various relations of long and short or accented and unaccented syllables.
2 the aspect of musical composition concerned with periodical accent and the duration of notes.
3 Physiol. movement with a regular succession of strong and weak elements.
4 a regularly recurring sequence of events.
5 Art a harmonious correlation of parts.
Phrases and idioms:
rhythm and blues popular music with a blues theme and a strong rhythm. rhythm method birth control by avoiding sexual intercourse when ovulation is likely to occur. rhythm section the part of a dance band or jazz band mainly supplying rhythm, usu. consisting of piano, bass, and drums.
Derivatives:
rhythmless adj.
Etymology: F rhythme or L rhythmus f. Gk rhuthmos, rel. to rheo flow