1. the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry, including meter, stress, and intonation
Usage: literary
2. the study of the metrical structure of verse
Usage: academic
3. the patterns of stress and intonation in spoken language
Usage: linguistics

Examples

• The poet carefully crafted the prosody of each line to create a musical effect.
• Students in the literature class analyzed the prosody of Shakespeare’s sonnets.
• Her thesis focused on the prosody of ancient Greek poetry.
• The professor explained how prosody affects the meaning of spoken sentences.
• Understanding prosody helps actors deliver their lines more effectively.
• The prosody of this poem creates a sense of urgency and movement.