sostenuto
1 of 2adjective or adverb
so·ste·nu·to
ˌsō-stə-ˈnü-(ˌ)tō 
ˌsȯ-
: sustained to or beyond the note's full value
—used as a direction in music
Examples of sostenuto in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Liam Hess, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
After that movement’s abrupt end, bassoonist Andrew Brady begins the more somber Andante sostenuto movement.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 12 Jan. 2024
Two introspective movements by Charles-Marie Widor (the Adagio from the Fifth Symphony and the Andante sostenuto from the Symphonie gothique) framed the dramatic opening movement of Louis Vierne’s Second Symphony.
—Dallas News, 21 Feb. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
As the twinkling, sostenuto piano of Daniel Blumberg’s score plays in the background, and slats of dappled light illuminate the elegant chair at the center of the space, the sleek cupboards Tóth has designed open up like the petals of a flower, revealing the minimal shelving underneath.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
After that movement’s abrupt end, bassoonist Andrew Brady begins the more somber Andante sostenuto movement.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 12 Jan. 2024
Two introspective movements by Charles-Marie Widor (the Adagio from the Fifth Symphony and the Andante sostenuto from the Symphonie gothique) framed the dramatic opening movement of Louis Vierne’s Second Symphony.
—Dallas News, 21 Feb. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Sostenuto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sostenuto. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share