time signature
nounUK /ˈtaɪm ˌsɪɡnətʃə/
US /ˈtaɪm ˌsɪɡnətʃər/
The numbers at the start of music that tell you how many beats are in each measure.
The song is in 4/4 time signature, so there are four beats in every measure.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A symbol showing the rhythmic structure of a piece of music.
The conductor pointed to the time signature before the orchestra began.
3. A marking that helps musicians count and stay together.
Changing the time signature halfway through the piece made it tricky to play.
4. The top number shows beats per measure, and the bottom number shows which note gets one beat.
In 3/4 time signature, the quarter note gets one beat and there are three beats per measure.