WordGarden.ioquadruplet
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kwɑˈdruːplət/noun
US
- /kwɑˈdruplət/Canadanoun
Meanings
Noun
one of four siblings born in the same birth
an ordered set or grouping of four items or values
a group of four notes played in the time usually occupied by a different number
Beyond the definition
A quadruplet is one of four babies born from the same pregnancy. This is much rarer than having twins or triplets, so people often notice the word in news stories or human-interest pieces about families raising four children of the same age. The word is not limited to babies, though. It can also describe a set of four similar things, and in music it can mean a group of four notes played in a special rhythm.
Imagine one pregnancy leading to not one, not two, but four babies. A quadruplet is one of four children born at the same birth. This is very uncommon and much rarer than twins or triplets, which is one reason the word often appears in stories about unusual births and the lives of families caring for four babies at once.
Historically, the birth of surviving quadruplets drew a great deal of public attention. Modern medical care has improved the chances that all four babies will survive and grow well, but the event is still rare enough that many people hear the word mainly in the context of childbirth, family life, or medical reporting.
The word can also be used more broadly for a group of four similar or related things, although that use is less common in everyday speech. In music, a quadruplet is a special rhythmic grouping of four notes that fits into the time normally used for a different number of notes. So whether the word points to four siblings born together or to a neat set of four in another setting, the central idea stays the same: four linked parts treated as one group.
Examples
- 1
Multiple birth
The family made the local news after welcoming healthy quadruplets.
- 2
Parenting
Raising quadruplets means planning everything carefully, from meals to school runs.
- 3
Music rhythm
In the last bar, the pianist has to play the quadruplets evenly.
- Domain
in music, quadruplets are a group of four notes played in a special rhythm
See also
Similar
- multiple-birth child
- quad
Shades of meaning
- identical quadruplet
- fraternal quadruplet
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- give birth to quadruplets
- expecting quadruplets
- identical quadruplets
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- quadrupletnoun
Forms
- quadrupletspluralnoun