# tandem

/ˈtændəm/ (US) · /tˈændəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tandem
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a bicycle for two

noun · CEFR B1

a bicycle with two seats and two sets of pedals, so two people can ride it together.

For teachers: a bicycle designed for two riders, one behind the other, both of whom contribute to the propulsion.

- The couple spent their Saturday afternoon riding a tandem along the beach path.
- Riding a tandem requires significant coordination between the lead cyclist and the stoker behind to maintain balance and pace.

### 2. a partnership

noun · CEFR B2

two people or things that work very closely together to achieve something.

For teachers: a group of two people or machines functioning together in close collaboration.

- The two detectives worked as a tandem to solve the difficult case.
- The creative tandem of the writer and the illustrator has produced some of the most iconic graphic novels of the decade.

### 3. language learning

noun · CEFR B2

a way to learn a language by talking with a native speaker who wants to learn your language.

For teachers: a method of language acquisition based on mutual exchange between native speakers of different languages.

- I found a great tandem partner to help me practice my Spanish conversation skills.
- The university's tandem programme pairs international students with locals to foster linguistic fluency and cultural exchange.

### 4. in tandem

adverb · CEFR B2

doing something at the same time or working together with someone else.

For teachers: acting in conjunction or simultaneously; often used in the fixed phrase 'in tandem'.

- The two companies worked in tandem to finish the project on time.
- The fiscal reforms must operate in tandem with monetary policy to effectively curb the rising inflation rates.

### 5. arranged one behind the other

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

having two parts where one is placed behind the other.

For teachers: consisting of two components or animals arranged in a single line, one behind the other.

- The truck had tandem axles to help it carry the heavy load safely.
- The engineer specified a tandem seating arrangement for the cockpit to minimize the aircraft's frontal surface area.

### 6. medical device

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small tube used in hospitals to treat certain types of cancer.

For teachers: a hollow metal tube used to hold radioactive material during internal radiation therapy for gynecological cancers.

- The doctor explained how the tandem would be used during the radiation treatment.
- The precise placement of the tandem and ovoids is critical for delivering the correct dose of radiation to the tumour site.

## Examples

- The two cyclists rode in tandem.
- The marketing and sales teams worked in tandem to launch the new product.
- The two political parties moved in tandem on the issue of tax reform, presenting a united front to the public.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.