coda

noun

co·​da ˈkō-də 

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

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

The sad coda to the story was reading about his death in World War I. —Mike Van Roo | Diamond Bar, California Amazing Mollusks What a wonderful story about the colorful and interesting nudibranchs! —Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2024

Other codas may last only one-third of a second or half a second. —Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 7 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, tail, from Latin cauda

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

coda

noun

co·​da ˈkōd-ə 

: 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