crescendo

noun

cre·scen·do | \ krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō

plural crescendos also crescendoes or crescendi\ krə-ˈshen-dē

Definition of crescendo

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a gradual increase a crescendo of excitement specifically : a gradual increase in volume of a musical passage

b : the peak of a gradual increase : climax … complaints about stifling smog conditions reach a crescendo … — Down Beat

2 : a crescendo musical passage

crescendo

adverb or adjective

Definition of crescendo (Entry 2 of 2)

: with an increase in volume —used as a direction in music

Other Words from crescendo Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about crescendo

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of crescendo in a Sentence

Noun

The noise rose to a crescendo. their divorce was merely the formal crescendo of a long period of marital stress and estrangement

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The iPadOS demo at WWDC reached a kind of crescendo when a virtual thumb drive appeared on the giant screen behind Federighi, illustrating that the Files app on iPad will now recognize external drives and devices. — Lauren Goode, WIRED, "iPadOS Isn't Just a Name. It's a New Direction for Apple," 9 June 2019 The deal buzz in Beverly Hills reached a crescendo in the past week as insiders speculate about a possible combination of the rival agencies. — Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, "UTA-Paradigm Deal Chatter Heats Up as Agencies Feel Urge to Merge," 7 June 2019 But since President Donald Trump introduced sweeping new restrictions on trade with Iran last year, raising tensions with Tehran that reached a crescendo in recent days, Iran’s ability to finance allies like Hezbollah has been curtailed. — Suzan Haidamous, The Seattle Times, "Trump’s sanctions on Iran are hitting Hezbollah hard," 18 May 2019 With our burgeoning burnout culture and the alarming rise of chronic conditions, the collective desire for a more holistic approach to health care has reached a crescendo. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Inside the New York Wellness Space That Could Be the Future of Primary Care," 30 Jan. 2019 Media mentions and Google searches reached a crescendo that almost exactly mirrored bitcoin’s peak. — Spencer Jakab, WSJ, "Bitcoin Wasn’t a Bubble Until It Was," 14 Dec. 2018 The acoustics worked, with the choir’s robust tones complimenting Leto’s raspy crescendo. — Jessi Roti, chicagotribune.com, "Jared Leto's 'Mars Across America' stops at Willis Tower Skydeck," 4 Apr. 2018 The iconic crescendo three minutes in is a staggering and gut-wrenching hymnal of everlasting love. — Natalie Maher, Harper's BAZAAR, "15 Love Songs That Will Sweep You Off Your Feet the Moment You Press Play," 9 Jan. 2019 The floor, and the bodies on it, vibrated with each musical crescendo; projected patterns resembling the Northern Lights swirled on the ceiling. — Eviana Hartman, Vogue, "Sigur Rós Is Doing Sound Baths Now—And You Can Recreate Them at Home," 6 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crescendo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for crescendo

Noun

borrowed from Italian, noun derivative of crescendo "increasing," gerund of crescere "to increase, grow," going back to Latin crēscere "to come into existence, increase in size or numbers" — more at crescent entry 1

Adverb or adjective

borrowed from Italian — more at crescendo entry 1

Keep scrolling for more