tempo

noun

tem·​po ˈtem-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce tempo (audio)
plural tempi ˈtem-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce tempo (audio) 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
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.
The role of the conductor on stage is to guide the orchestra and control the tempo of the music. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 30 June 2025 But this move was 2021-22 City-esque in bringing the tempo of the game down before immediately slicing opponents open. Liam Tharme, New York Times, 28 June 2025 Most middle schoolers want to push the tempo and speed past defenders. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025 Unfortunately, the value of gold is often inversely related to the value of life, and as the tempo of conflict rises, so does gold. Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tempo

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tempo was circa 1724

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Cite this Entry

“Tempo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempo. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

tempo

noun
tem·​po ˈtem-pō How to pronounce tempo (audio)
plural tempi -pē How to pronounce tempo (audio) 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tempo

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