Definition of rhythm

The word "rhythm" has its roots in ancient Greek. The Greek word "ῥΥΘΜΟΣ" (rhythmos) means "flow" or "measure." In music, it referred to the pattern or meter of sounds, which was considered a fundamental aspect of music in ancient Greek culture. The word "rhythm" was borrowed into Latin as "rhythmus," and from there it was borrowed into various European languages, including Old French and Middle English. In English, the word "rhythm" has been in use since the 14th century to describe the pattern of sounds or movements in music, poetry, and dance. Over time, the concept of rhythm has expanded to include other forms of vibrational patterns, such as the rhythms of nature (e.g., the rhythm of waves or the rhythm of a heartbeat) and even the rhythms of everyday life (e.g., the rhythm of a person's footsteps or the rhythm of a city's traffic).