common time
"Common time" is a term used both in music and the military, denoting a standard rhythmic pattern or pace.
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Definition
B2Music
(technical, academic)A meter with four beats per measure, each beat being a quarter note.
Example
- Most pop songs are written in common time, making them easy to dance to.
- The conductor emphasized the importance of maintaining common time throughout the performance.
C1Military
(technical, formal)The standard marching pace, consisting of ninety steps per minute, each step measuring twenty-eight inches.
Example
- The soldiers practiced marching in common time to ensure uniformity.
- During the parade, the troops maintained common time perfectly.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "common time":
triple timedouble timeprimary timekeep timethree-quarter timeflat time