polyrhythm

[ pol-ee-rith-uh m ]
/ ˈpɒl iˌrɪð əm /

noun Music.

the simultaneous occurrence of sharply contrasting rhythms within a composition.

Origin of polyrhythm

First recorded in 1925–30; poly- + rhythm

OTHER WORDS FROM polyrhythm

pol·y·rhyth·mic, adjective pol·y·rhyth·mi·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby polyrhythm

polyptych, polyptychial, polypus, polyradiculitis, polyradiculoneuropathy, polyrhythm, polyrhythmic, polyribosome, polysaccharide, polysemy, polysepalous

British Dictionary definitions for polyrhythmic (1 of 2)

polyrhythmic
/ (ˌpɒlɪˈrɪðmɪk) /

adjective

music of or relating to polyrhythm; characterized by different rhythms

British Dictionary definitions for polyrhythmic (2 of 2)

polyrhythm
/ (ˈpɒlɪˌrɪðəm) /

noun

music a style of composition in which each part exhibits different rhythms