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

Managing those demands — simplifying decisions, controlling tempo and conserving energy — may be as much a feature of playing in the heat as the physical strain itself. — Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026

In its 34-32 first-round win over France, New Zealand revealed its intention to play at a high tempo, although its effort to do so was undermined by errors in handling, defense, in the aerial contest and in discipline. — ABC News, 11 July 2026

That uniformity gives the US Navy one of the most consistently modern submarine forces in the world, even as its production tempo lags behind China’s. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026

Center-backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi haven't let any opponents come close to threatening Unai Simón's goal, while Rodri, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal have been great at controlling the tempo in key areas. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 July 2026

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

Rhymes for tempo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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