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Rocket launches have traditionally required a certain delay between one and the next, so if there are say 20 per year at a given site, the assume some degree of ordered spacing between one and the next of a few weeks, though still somewhat irregular.

I have seen many references to the term "launch cadence", then was told this usage is incorrect.

The OED definition uses references to speech or music:

  1. A modulation or inflection of the voice. ‘the measured cadences that he employed in the Senate’

    A modulation or inflection of the voice. ‘the measured cadences that he employed in the Senate’

  2. A sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase. ‘the final cadences of the Prelude’

  1. A sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase. ‘the final cadences of the Prelude’

though a sub-definition of 1 does say:

1.3 [mass noun] Rhythm. ‘the thumping cadence of the engines’

which seems to be workable.

Likewise, from Merriam Webster:

1a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language

 

b: the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity

 
  • The drill sergeant counted cadence.
  • the steady cadence of the drums

Question: Does the MW definition allow this usage for rocket launches? Does the OED?

I'm not asking for synonyms (e.g. rhythm, frequency, tempo, rate) but trying to understand if I should be comfortable using the word cadence within the phrase launch cadence without feeling like I am misusing the word.

Rocket launches have traditionally required a certain delay between one and the next, so if there are say 20 per year at a given site, the assume some degree of ordered spacing between one and the next of a few weeks, though still somewhat irregular.

I have seen many references to the term "launch cadence", then was told this usage is incorrect.

The OED definition uses references to speech or music:

  1. A modulation or inflection of the voice. ‘the measured cadences that he employed in the Senate’
  1. A sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase. ‘the final cadences of the Prelude’

though a sub-definition of 1 does say:

1.3 [mass noun] Rhythm. ‘the thumping cadence of the engines’

which seems to be workable.

Likewise, from Merriam Webster:

1a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language

 

b: the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity

 
  • The drill sergeant counted cadence.
  • the steady cadence of the drums

Question: Does the MW definition allow this usage for rocket launches? Does the OED?

I'm not asking for synonyms (e.g. rhythm, frequency, tempo, rate) but trying to understand if I should be comfortable using the word cadence within the phrase launch cadence without feeling like I am misusing the word.

Rocket launches have traditionally required a certain delay between one and the next, so if there are say 20 per year at a given site, the assume some degree of ordered spacing between one and the next of a few weeks, though still somewhat irregular.

I have seen many references to the term "launch cadence", then was told this usage is incorrect.

The OED definition uses references to speech or music:

  1. A modulation or inflection of the voice. ‘the measured cadences that he employed in the Senate’

  2. A sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase. ‘the final cadences of the Prelude’

though a sub-definition of 1 does say:

1.3 [mass noun] Rhythm. ‘the thumping cadence of the engines’

which seems to be workable.

Likewise, from Merriam Webster:

1a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language

b: the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity

  • The drill sergeant counted cadence.
  • the steady cadence of the drums

Question: Does the MW definition allow this usage for rocket launches? Does the OED?

I'm not asking for synonyms (e.g. rhythm, frequency, tempo, rate) but trying to understand if I should be comfortable using the word cadence within the phrase launch cadence without feeling like I am misusing the word.

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Is the use of the word "cadence" acceptable in the phrase rocket launch cadence?

Rocket launches have traditionally required a certain delay between one and the next, so if there are say 20 per year at a given site, the assume some degree of ordered spacing between one and the next of a few weeks, though still somewhat irregular.

I have seen many references to the term "launch cadence", then was told this usage is incorrect.

The OED definition uses references to speech or music:

  1. A modulation or inflection of the voice. ‘the measured cadences that he employed in the Senate’
  1. A sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase. ‘the final cadences of the Prelude’

though a sub-definition of 1 does say:

1.3 [mass noun] Rhythm. ‘the thumping cadence of the engines’

which seems to be workable.

Likewise, from Merriam Webster:

1a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language

b: the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity

  • The drill sergeant counted cadence.
  • the steady cadence of the drums

Question: Does the MW definition allow this usage for rocket launches? Does the OED?

I'm not asking for synonyms (e.g. rhythm, frequency, tempo, rate) but trying to understand if I should be comfortable using the word cadence within the phrase launch cadence without feeling like I am misusing the word.