tandem

[ tan-duhm ]

adverb

1. one following or behind the other:

   to drive horses tandem.

adjective

1. having animals, seats, parts, etc., arranged tandem or one behind another.

noun

1. a vehicle, as a truck, tractor, or trailer, in which a pair or pairs of axles are arranged in tandem.
2. tandem bicycle.
3. tandem trailer ( def 1 ).
4. a team of horses harnessed one behind the other.
5. a two-wheeled carriage with a high driver's seat, drawn by two or more horses so harnessed.
6. any of various mechanisms having a tandem arrangement.

tandem

/ ˈtændəm /

noun

1. a bicycle with two sets of pedals and two saddles, arranged one behind the other for two riders
2. a two-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses harnessed one behind the other
3. a team of two horses so harnessed
4. any arrangement of two things in which one is placed behind the other
5. in tandem
   together or in conjunction

adjective

1. used as, used in, or routed through an intermediate automatic telephone exchange

   a tandem exchange

adverb

1. one behind the other

   to ride tandem

Word History and Origins

Origin of tandem¹

First recorded in 1735–45; special use (originally facetious) of Latin tandem “at length, finally,” equivalent to tam “so far” + -dem, demonstrative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of tandem¹

C18: whimsical use of Latin tandem at length, to indicate a vehicle of elongated appearance

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in tandem,
   1. in single file:

      They swam in tandem.

   2. in association or partnership.

Example Sentences

The tandem accounted for three touchdowns in Sunday’s 28-22 victory at New England, reliably reeling in the pinpoint passes of Matthew Stafford.

From Los Angeles Times

Individuals given licence to roll out heads-up rugby and "play what you see" is good, but so are patterns, structures and plays that work in tandem to collectively tenderise and carve through a defence.

From BBC

MR is more tactile, using objects in the real world in tandem with the user's view of a digital world to create a physically engaging experience.

From BBC

He will need to be strong-minded to work within the new set-up, working in tandem with it while marrying his own ideas on to those above him.

From BBC

However, humans cannot get these benefits from individual species - a rich variety of living things must work together in tandem.

From BBC

Related Words

• club
• company
• lineup
• organization
• party
• side
• squad
• unit