Pronunciation: [tˈandəm] (IPA) 
The word "tandem" is spelled with five letters, starting with a "t". It is pronounced as /ˈtændəm/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The pronunciation begins with a "t" sound that is followed by a short "a" sound. The second syllable includes vowel sounds "en" as in "pen". The final letter sequence "d-e-m" is pronounced as /dəm/. The word tandem refers to a bicycle built for two, with the riders seated one behind the other.
Tandem is a noun that refers to a mode of transportation or the arrangement of objects or people positioned one behind the other. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something that involves two or more people or things working together in coordination.
As a noun, tandem commonly refers to a bicycle designed to be ridden by two or more people seated, one behind the other. In this context, it typically indicates that the riders work in synchronization, with one person responsible for steering while the others assist with pedaling. Tandem can also describe any form of transportation, such as a carriage, vehicle, or boat, where passengers or objects are positioned in a linear manner, one after another.
In a broader sense, tandem is used to describe any arrangement or activity involving two or more people or things working together. It signifies a coordinated effort, often requiring cooperation and complementing each other's actions. For instance, tandem can refer to a tandem skydive, where two skydivers leap out of an aircraft and perform synchronized moves during the freefall. It can also describe a tandem parachute, which involves two parachutes connected together to increase safety.
Beyond transportation, the adjective form of tandem commonly denotes working or operating in tandem. This might describe a tandem team in sports, where two athletes work together towards a common goal. It can also refer to business partners, musicians, or any two people closely collaborating to accomplish a shared objective. Overall, tandem emphasizes the importance of coordination, teamwork, and unity in achieving mutual success.
• Singly; one before the other-applied to horses harnessed one before another instead of abreast.
• Two horses harnessed tandem in a light two-wheeled vehicle. Note.-This word seems to have originated in the university slang application of the Eng. meaning "at length" of L. tandem, which, however, has really no connection whatever with the thing signified.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "tandem" comes from the Latin adverb "tandem", which means "at length" or "at last". It functions as a kind of exclamation or intensifier. It has been used in English since the 18th century, primarily in the context of horse-drawn carriages or bicycles, as a description of a vehicle where the riders or passengers are arranged one behind the other. Over time, "tandem" has also come to be used more generally to describe any situation or arrangement where two or more things or people are aligned in a linear fashion.
