crescendo

1 of 2

noun

cre·​scen·​do krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō 

plural crescendos also crescendoes or crescendi krə-ˈshen-dē 

1

a

: 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 …

—DownBeat

2

: a crescendo musical passage

crescendo intransitive verb

Illustration of crescendo

• mark indicating crescendo 2

crescendo

2 of 2

adverb or adjective

: with an increase in volume

—used as a direction in music

Synonyms of crescendo

Noun

• pinnacle
• zenith
• culmination
• peak
• top
• height
• climax
• apex

Examples of crescendo in a Sentence

Noun

The noise rose to a crescendo.

excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Centuries of blood and thunder have erupted across the stages of the world, as empires rise and fall against the crescendos of Wagnerian imperialism, with the heroics of gods and men alike unfolding in the balance. — Jordan Owen, AJC.com, 7 Nov. 2026

The exhibition reaches its crescendo at its center with Raven Chacon’s Storm Pattern (2021–24), a handwoven wool textile accompanied by a multichannel sound piece whose low hum visitors have been hearing since entering the gallery. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

On and off the field, the versatile senior is reaching a crescendo for Morton. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

The crescendo of outsider spending and criticisms could help bolster her appeal. — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb Or Adjective

1807, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crescendo

• arguendo
• innuendo
• endo
• tendo

Kids Definition

crescendo

noun

cre·​scen·​do

kri-ˈshen-dō

plural crescendos or crescendoes

1

: a gradual increase especially in the loudness of music

2

: the peak of a gradual increase

crescendo adverb or adjective