Main Entry:

tem·po

Pronunciation:

\ˈtem-(ˌ)pō\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural tem·pi \-(ˌ)pē\ or tempos

Etymology:

Italian, literally, time, from Latin tempus

Date:

circa 1724

1 : the rate of speed of a musical piece or passage indicated by one of a series of directions (as largo, presto, or allegro) and often by an exact metronome marking 2 : rate of motion or activity : pace