Define "rhythm" in the context of music.

Rhythm in music refers to the pattern of sounds in time, which encompasses the concepts of beat, tempo, and meter. Beat serves as the basic unit of time in a piece of music, providing a steady pulse that listeners can feel. Tempo indicates the speed at which the beat occurs, while meter refers to the organization of beats into recurring patterns of strong and weak accents, often represented by time signatures.

Understanding rhythm is crucial, as it shapes the flow and movement of the music, influencing how it is perceived and experienced by the audience. Rhythm is not merely about sound but is intricately linked to motion and the timing of musical events, making it a fundamental aspect of how music is structured and enjoyed. This definition captures the essence of rhythm more comprehensively than the other options, which are more focused on aspects like structure, melody, or harmony rather than the interplay of sounds over time.