tempo

noun

tem·​po ˈtem-(ˌ)pō 

plural tempi ˈtem-(ˌ)pē  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

My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys This workout is focused on core exercises, which can be performed at a slower tempo. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

In a doleful irony, his digital rerecording of the piece, taken at a more stately tempo and with other changes, would be the last Gould album released by Columbia before his untimely death at age 50 in 1982. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

His averages increased — from 7.7 to 11.5 points and 5.0 to 5.9 rebounds — although that is skewed by the Wildcats’ high-octane offense compared to SDSU’s slower tempo. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Slowing down the tempo and delivering a how-to tutorial on covering songs added extra depth to Timberlake’s standout effort. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2024

The second half began as the first ended, with Duquesne in control of the tempo and the score. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024

The scene then cuts to the singer in full color as the tempo lifts and she twirls and wraps herself in strands of yellow and red ribbon. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024

Although Brazil controlled the tempo through much of the first half, the U.S. had the best two chances after switching to a press late in the period. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024

In the first half, Noblesville contended with 4A No. 14 HSE’s tempo and 3-point shooting. —Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2024

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

Phrases Containing tempo

• a tempo
• up-tempo

Kids Definition

tempo

noun

tem·​po ˈtem-pō 

plural tempi -pē  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