coda

noun

co·​da ˈkō-də How to pronounce coda (audio)
1
a
: a concluding musical section that is formally distinct from the main structure
b
: a concluding part of a literary or dramatic work
2
: something that serves to round out, conclude, or summarize and usually has its own interest

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New Meaning of CODA

CODA is an abbreviation of child (or children) of deaf adults. It refers to a person who is typically hearing and has one or more parents or guardians who are wholly or partly deaf. Learn more >

Examples of coda in a Sentence

The movie's coda shows the main character as an adult 25 years later.
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.
There is no more fitting coda to this chaotic era than what’s happened the past few days in Knoxville, Tenn., where quarterback Nico Iamaleava skipped practice and his representatives used the threat of the transfer portal, which opens this week, to seek a bigger, better deal at Tennessee. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Ironically, The World Will Tremble proves most effective in its coda, when onscreen text informs us that the two men provided the first eyewitness account of the mass murder of Jews. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025 Biden’s 13-minute address marked not only as his departing words after four years in the nation’s highest office, but also served as a coda to a career of public service that spanned more than half a century. Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 But this feels like a footnote more than a proper coda. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coda

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, tail, from Latin cauda

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coda was in 1740

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Cite this Entry

“Coda.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coda. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

coda

noun
co·​da ˈkōd-ə How to pronounce coda (audio)
: a closing section in a musical composition
Etymology

Italian, literally, "tail," from Latin coda, cauda "tail" — related to coward, cue entry 3, queue see Word History at coward, queue

More from Merriam-Webster on coda

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