rondo

noun ron·do \ ˈrän-(ˌ)dō , rän-ˈdō \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of rondo

plural rondos

1 : an instrumental composition typically with a refrain recurring four times in the tonic and with three couplets in contrasting keys

2 : the musical form of a rondo used especially for a movement in a concerto or sonata

See rondo defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of rondo from the Web

Spanish clubs have long excelled at this, by endlessly practising the rondo: a close-quarters version of piggy-in-the-middle.

— The Economist, "What makes a country good at football?," 9 June 2018
The first movement has the sound of a Russian folk song, but following a flowing second movement, the rondo finale is a burst of Spanish color, complete with castanets.

— patrick neas, kansascity, "KC Symphony performing 'On the Waterfront' by Leonard Bernstein | The Kansas City Star," 17 Feb. 2018
The fifth and final movement came across as a mercurial rondo that shifts from stretches of harmonically raw vehemence to subdued yet swinging passages that Mr. Bell, backed by Mr. Gilbert and the orchestra, played with an eerily spectral quality.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: Bernstein Brings Alan Gilbert Back to the Philharmonic," 26 Oct. 2017
Then add: 1/4 c cayenne 1c chili powder 2T ginger, ground 4T salt, kosher Directions: Saute the onions in a rondo with oil.

— josh ozersky, Esquire, "4 Modern, Meaty Ways to Gorge Yourself on Super Bowl Sunday," 27 Jan. 2014
Mozart’s A minor Rondo (K. 511), after intermission, was prelude to the main event, a blockbuster account of Beethoven’s final piano sonata, No. 32 in C minor, in two epic movements.

— james r. oestreich, New York Times, "Emotional Richness in Minor Keys From 2 Revered Pianists," 23 May 2017

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