tempo
noun
tem·po
ˈtem-(ˌ)pō 
plural tempi
ˈtem-(ˌ)pē
or tempos
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
My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys This workout is focused on core exercises, which can be performed at a slower tempo.
—
Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024
In a doleful irony, his digital rerecording of the piece, taken at a more stately tempo and with other changes, would be the last Gould album released by Columbia before his untimely death at age 50 in 1982.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tempo 
Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024
In a doleful irony, his digital rerecording of the piece, taken at a more stately tempo and with other changes, would be the last Gould album released by Columbia before his untimely death at age 50 in 1982.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tempo
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tempo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tempo
Cite this Entry
“Tempo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempo. Accessed 6 May. 2024.
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