tempo

noun

tem·​po ˈtem-(ˌ)pō 

plural tempi ˈtem-(ˌ)pē  or tempos

1

: the rate of speed of a musical piece or passage indicated by one of a series of directions (such as largo, presto, or allegro) and often by an exact metronome marking

2

: rate of motion or activity : pace

Examples of tempo in a Sentence

The song has a slow tempo.

The composition has many changes of tempo.

We walked at a fast tempo.

The tempo of the game slowed down.

The dance starts out fast and then switches tempo.

Recent Examples on the Web

The joy of freedom marked the celebration on Sunday, the thunderous tempo from massive drums declaring a spirited independence from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. —Jessie Yeung, CNN, 15 July 2024

The research reveals intriguing new features in sperm whale communication, particularly the matching of tempo between whales, says Luke Rendell, a marine mammal scientist at the University of St Andrews whose work helped identify sperm whale dialects around the world. —Warren Cornwall, science.org, 5 July 2024

Carpenter stays in a lower register on the first chorus but impressively matches Roan’s sky-scraping soprano on the second one, and the band even slows the tempo to a halt at the conclusion, like the original. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 18 June 2024

The beat’s tempo is slower than his usual choices, and utilizes more instruments, and a vocal sample. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "time, rate of speed (in music)," going back to Latin tempor-, tempus "time, period of time, season," of uncertain origin

Note: If it originally meant "extent, measure" (hence, "extent of time"), Latin tempus could go back to an s-stem noun *temp-es- derived from an Indo-European verb base *temp- "stretch, extend," seen in Lithuanian tempiù, tem͂pti "to stretch, bend (a bow)," tìmpa "sinew, bowstring," Tocharian A & B cämp- "be able to" (if "stretch, exert effort" > "exert sufficient effort, be able"), and perhaps Old Norse þǫmb "womb, guts, bowstring." Though these are possibilities, the sum of comparable evidence for the etymon is not overwhelming.

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tempo

• a tempo
• up-tempo

Kids Definition

tempo

noun

tem·​po ˈtem-pō 

plural tempi -pē  or tempos

1

: the rate of speed at which a musical piece or passage is to be played or sung

2

: rate of motion or activity