cadences
/ˈkeɪdənsɪz/
NOUN
1. Balanced, rhythmic flow or regular pattern of movement
Measured, balanced, or regularly recurring rhythms, beats, or sequences of movements and actions.
1.1. Rhythmic flow and repeated patterns
Regular patterns of beats, sounds, or movements that create a measured and coordinated flow.
Synonyms
Examples
- The dancers maintained graceful cadences throughout the performance.
- The rhythmic cadences of the drums guided the procession.
- The workers developed consistent cadences as they repeated their daily tasks.
Related Words
1.2. Measured pace of physical movement
The frequency or regularity of repeated physical movements, particularly running steps, cycling pedal revolutions, or a horse's coordinated gait.
Synonyms
- rhythms
- paces
- step rates
- stride rates
- pedaling rates
Examples
- The runners adjusted their cadences to maintain a comfortable pace.
- The cyclists monitored their pedaling cadences during the race.
- The horses moved with smooth and balanced cadences during the dressage competition.
Related Words
- footfalls
- strides
- pedal revolutions
- gaits
- horse movements
- running
- cycling
1.3. Rhythm and sequence of actions
The measured order, pace, or recurring pattern in which a series of activities or actions takes place.
Synonyms
Examples
- The team established weekly cadences for reviewing project progress.
- The instructor adjusted the cadences of the exercises to suit the participants.
- The organization introduced regular meeting cadences to improve coordination.
Related Words
- routines
- timing
- regularity
- progression
- coordination
- workflow
NOUN
2. The rhythm, inflection, or modulation of a voice
Patterns of changes in pitch, tone, emphasis, and rhythm in speech or other sounds, including the characteristic rise and fall of a speaker's voice.
2.1. Voice inflection and intonation
Distinctive patterns of vocal pitch, emphasis, and modulation that shape the sound and expressive quality of spoken language.
Synonyms
- intonations
- inflections
- modulations
- accents
- lilts
Examples
- The speaker's varied cadences made the presentation engaging.
- Her regional cadences were immediately recognizable to the audience.
- The actor carefully studied the cadences of everyday conversation to make the dialogue sound natural.
Related Words
- prosody
- pitch
- tone
- emphasis
- stress
- articulation
- enunciation
2.2. Falling inflection at the end of speech
Downward changes in vocal pitch, particularly at the ends of sentences or phrases, that signal completion or finality.
Synonyms
- falling inflections
- intonations
- vocal modulations
Examples
- The lecturer used firm cadences to signal the end of each statement.
- The speaker's falling cadences gave the speech an authoritative quality.
Related Words
- rising intonations
- sentence stress
- prosody
- pitch patterns
- vocal delivery
NOUN
3. Musical progressions and concluding embellishments
Harmonic sequences that bring musical phrases or sections to a point of resolution, as well as decorative closing passages performed before the final conclusion.
3.1. Harmonic progressions and musical resolution
Sequences of chords that conclude musical phrases or sections by creating a sense of harmonic closure or resolution.
Synonyms
- harmonic progressions
- chord progressions
- musical closes
- harmonic resolutions
Examples
- The composer incorporated several unexpected cadences into the final movement.
- The choir practiced the musical cadences until every phrase ended precisely.
- The composition featured a variety of cadences that gave each section a distinct character.
Related Words
- chords
- tonics
- dominants
- harmonies
- dissonances
- musical phrases
- resolutions
3.2. Closing musical embellishments
Decorative or improvised musical passages performed near the end of a phrase, sometimes allowing the performer to display expressive or technical skill before the final resolution.
Synonyms
- cadenzas
- closing embellishments
- musical flourishes
Examples
- The pianist added elaborate cadenzas before the final musical resolutions.
- The performers introduced expressive closing embellishments into their interpretations.
Related Words
- ornamentations
- improvisations
- solo passages
- virtuosity
- musical ornaments
NOUN
4. Rhythmic chants used during military marching or running
Chants or rhythmic songs sung by military personnel while marching or running to coordinate movements and maintain a steady pace.
4.1. Military marching chants
Rhythmic chants, including jody calls, performed by soldiers during marching, running, or physical training.
Synonyms
- jody calls
- military chants
- marching chants
- marching songs
Examples
- The recruits sang traditional cadences while running around the training ground.
- The instructor taught the soldiers several marching cadences to maintain their rhythm.
- The rhythmic cadences helped the troops coordinate their movements during the march.
Related Words
- drill
- marching
- call and response
- military training
- marching rhythm
NOUN
5. Dance movements that conclude a phrase
Specific dance steps or movements that mark the completion of a musical or choreographic phrase.
5.1. Concluding dance movements
Dance steps or figures that complete a sequence or mark the end of a choreographic phrase.
Synonyms
- closing steps
- final movements
- dance figures
Examples
- The choreographer designed graceful cadences to conclude each dance phrase.
- The dancers practiced the final cadences until their movements were perfectly synchronized.
Related Words
- choreography
- dance phrases
- sequences
- steps
- rhythms
NOUN
6. Declines or downward movements
Instances or states of declining, sinking, or moving downward in position or condition.
6.1. Downward movement or deterioration
A process of falling, sinking, or decreasing in level, condition, or position.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- rises
- ascents
- increases
- upswings
Examples
- The historical account described the successive cadences of the declining empire.
Related Words
- deterioration
- regression
- reduction
- decrease
- sinking
VERB
7. To give rhythm or structure to something
To provide something with a particular cadence, rhythmic pattern, or organized structure.
7.1. Giving a rhythmic or musical structure
Providing a musical passage, performance, or sequence with a measured rhythm or harmonic conclusion.
Synonyms
- rhythmizes
- structures
- arranges
Examples
- The composer cadences the final passage with a gentle harmonic resolution.
- The musician cadences the melody to create a satisfying conclusion.
Related Words
- composes
- harmonizes
- orchestrates
- paces
- sequences
7.2. Giving organized structure to actions or events
Arranging activities, movements, or events into a deliberate and coherent sequence.
Synonyms
- structures
- organizes
- arranges
- sequences
Examples
- The coach cadences the training exercises to maintain a consistent progression.
- The instructor cadences the movements so that the entire group works together.
Related Words
- coordinates
- schedules
- systematizes
- regulates
- plans