decrescendo

noun de·cre·scen·do \ ˌdā-krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō \

Definition of decrescendo

plural decrescendos

1 : a gradual decrease in volume of a musical passage

2 : a decrescendo musical passage

Recent Examples of decrescendo from the Web

When at long last the volume drops from 11 and Mr. Preston reflects on his 10-year arc, the epilogue is a contemplative decrescendo of hard-won humility and gratitude.

— forrest pritchard, WSJ, "‘The New Farm’ and ‘Fruitful Labor’ Reviews: Betting the Farm on Organic," 13 Apr. 2018
The extended decrescendo ending -- also sans vocals -- is as breathtaking as the build-up.

— zach dionne, Billboard, "Childish Gambino's 15 Best Songs: Critic's Picks," 11 Sep. 2017
In Iraq, the English word hello has become entrenched in the parting protocol, usually as a decrescendo—HELLO,

— nour malas, WSJ, "Iraqis Don’t Know Why You Say Goodbye—They Prefer to Say Hello," 21 Mar. 2017
At a time when Silicon Valley has been forced to publicly grapple with issues of sexism, the decrescendo of Mayer’s tenure is doubly unfortunate; there are so few female leaders in tech, and Mayer was seen by many as a female leader where few exist.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "The Inevitable Death of the Marissa Mayer Dream," 13 June 2017

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

Illustration of decrescendo

Origin and Etymology of decrescendo

Italian, literally, decreasing, from Latin decrescendum, gerund of decrescere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1877

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

decrescendo

adverb or adjective

Definition of decrescendo

: with a decrease in volume —used as a direction in music

First Known Use of decrescendo

1877

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

DECRESCENDO Defined for Kids

decrescendo

noun de·cre·scen·do \ ˌdā-krə-ˈshen-dō \

Definition of decrescendo for Students

: a gradual decrease in the loudness of music

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decrescendo

Definition of decrescendo

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Origin and Etymology of decrescendo

decrescendo

Definition of decrescendo

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DECRESCENDO Defined for Kids

decrescendo

Definition of decrescendo for Students

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decrescendo

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decrescendo

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decrescendo

Definition of decrescendo for Students

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