coda

noun

co·​da ˈkō-də How to pronounce coda (audio)
1
a
: a concluding musical section that is formally distinct from the main structure
b
: a concluding part of a literary or dramatic work
2
: something that serves to round out, conclude, or summarize and usually has its own interest

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New Meaning of CODA

CODA is an abbreviation of child (or children) of deaf adults. It refers to a person who is typically hearing and has one or more parents or guardians who are wholly or partly deaf. Learn more >

Examples of coda in a Sentence

The movie's coda shows the main character as an adult 25 years later.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a 26-minute coda, which opened with a six-month time jump… ▲ Hapless Choi was released from prison after a six-month stint (for breaking into super-sus sea captain Park’s home) and reunited with his funny li’l buddy as well as (former) police detective Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun). Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 June 2025 There’s a little coda at the end of the episode where Kyle goes over to Erika’s house to talk about the verdict against her ex-husband Tom. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 Apart from a brief coda, the rest of the episode takes the form of five vignettes, each set a year or two apart. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 May 2025 The stakes escalate with a mordant velocity reminiscent of Park Chan-wook’s revenge sagas, a point of reference that continues through the darkly funny — and patently absurd — coda that Aster tacks on to the end of his film’s pulse-pounding final shootout. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for coda

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, tail, from Latin cauda

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coda was in 1740

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Cite this Entry

“Coda.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coda. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

coda

noun
co·​da ˈkōd-ə How to pronounce coda (audio)
: a closing section in a musical composition
Etymology

Italian, literally, "tail," from Latin coda, cauda "tail" — related to coward, cue entry 3, queue see Word History at coward, queue

More from Merriam-Webster on coda

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