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
Slowing down the tempo and delivering a how-to tutorial on covering songs added extra depth to Timberlake’s standout effort.
—
Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2024
The second half began as the first ended, with Duquesne in control of the tempo and the score.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
The scene then cuts to the singer in full color as the tempo lifts and she twirls and wraps herself in strands of yellow and red ribbon.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024
Although Brazil controlled the tempo through much of the first half, the U.S. had the best two chances after switching to a press late in the period.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024
In the first half, Noblesville contended with 4A No. 14 HSE’s tempo and 3-point shooting.
—Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2024
And, thankfully, the tempo with which Black women are nominated for and win Oscars, whatever the role, is increasing.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Autonomous reactions at machine speed could drive a faster tempo of operations, accelerating the pace of battle.
—Paul Scharre, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024
The author is fascinated by rubato, when a piece—or in this case, a singer—briefly plays with tempo but keeps a song’s overall structure intact.
—Owen Myers, Pitchfork, 29 Feb. 2024
Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2024
The second half began as the first ended, with Duquesne in control of the tempo and the score.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2024
The scene then cuts to the singer in full color as the tempo lifts and she twirls and wraps herself in strands of yellow and red ribbon.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024
Although Brazil controlled the tempo through much of the first half, the U.S. had the best two chances after switching to a press late in the period.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024
In the first half, Noblesville contended with 4A No. 14 HSE’s tempo and 3-point shooting.
—Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2024
And, thankfully, the tempo with which Black women are nominated for and win Oscars, whatever the role, is increasing.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Autonomous reactions at machine speed could drive a faster tempo of operations, accelerating the pace of battle.
—Paul Scharre, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024
The author is fascinated by rubato, when a piece—or in this case, a singer—briefly plays with tempo but keeps a song’s overall structure intact.
—Owen Myers, Pitchfork, 29 Feb. 2024
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 19 Apr. 2024.
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