tempo

noun

tem·​po ˈtem-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce tempo (audio)
plural tempi ˈtem-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce tempo (audio) or tempos
1
: the rate of speed of a musical piece or passage indicated by one of a series of directions (such as largo, presto, or allegro) and often by an exact metronome marking
2
: rate of motion or activity : pace

Examples of tempo in a Sentence

The song has a slow tempo. The composition has many changes of tempo. We walked at a fast tempo. The tempo of the game slowed down. The dance starts out fast and then switches tempo.
Recent Examples on the Web Basics like hearing a play-call instead of getting it from a sideline card, breaking the huddle and getting lined up at the right tempo. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2024 But LaVine remains the centerpiece of the offense, with the other guards supplementing him in an undersized lineup that will emphasize playing at a higher tempo. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024 The whole piece takes almost 6 minutes to play at a normal tempo. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024 Nike tells me the Zoom Fly 6 is a training and racing hybrid, with the durability and comfort for long runs or tempo workouts. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tempo 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tempo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "time, rate of speed (in music)," going back to Latin tempor-, tempus "time, period of time, season," of uncertain origin

Note: If it originally meant "extent, measure" (hence, "extent of time"), Latin tempus could go back to an s-stem noun *temp-es- derived from an Indo-European verb base *temp- "stretch, extend," seen in Lithuanian tempiù, tem͂pti "to stretch, bend (a bow)," tìmpa "sinew, bowstring," Tocharian A & B cämp- "be able to" (if "stretch, exert effort" > "exert sufficient effort, be able"), and perhaps Old Norse þǫmb "womb, guts, bowstring." Though these are possibilities, the sum of comparable evidence for the etymon is not overwhelming.

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tempo was circa 1724

Dictionary Entries Near tempo

Cite this Entry

“Tempo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempo. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tempo

noun
tem·​po ˈtem-pō How to pronounce tempo (audio)
plural tempi -pē How to pronounce tempo (audio) or tempos
1
: the rate of speed at which a musical piece or passage is to be played or sung
2
: rate of motion or activity

More from Merriam-Webster on tempo

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