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.
In Denver’s 2025 March Madness opener, No. 3 Wisconsin controlled the tempo the whole way against No. 14 Montana. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025 From there, Hoosac Valley pushed the tempo on both ends and went on a 16-3 run with no basket bigger than a Meczywor layup to give the Hurricanes their first lead since the first at 58-56 with 1:38 remaining. Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025 If your store’s bottom line benefits from a higher volume of customers moving through your space and checking out quickly, songs with a faster tempo would be best. Allbusiness, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Watkins dominated in the first half as well, pushing the tempo and getting to the line at will. Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 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 31 Mar. 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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