DOWNBEAT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does downbeat mean? 

• DOWNBEAT (noun)
  The noun DOWNBEAT has 1 sense:

1. the first beat of a musical measure (as the conductor's arm moves downward)

  Familiarity information: DOWNBEAT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DOWNBEAT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The first beat of a musical measure (as the conductor's arm moves downward)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("downbeat" is a kind of...):

beat; musical rhythm; rhythm (the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music)

 Context examples 

Pressure to feel upbeat can make you feel downbeat, while embracing your darker moods can actually make you feel better in the long run.

(Embracing Darker Moods Makes You Feel Better, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)