tempo

[tem-poh]

noun

plural

tempos, tempi 

1. Music.,  relative rapidity or rate of movement, usually indicated by such terms as adagio, allegro, etc., or by reference to the metronome.

2. characteristic rate, rhythm, or pattern of work or activity.

   the tempo of city life.

3. Chess.,  the gaining or losing of time and effectiveness relative to one's continued mobility or developing position, especially with respect to the number of moves required to gain an objective.

   Black gained a tempo.

tempo

/ ˈtɛmpəʊ /

noun

1. the speed at which a piece or passage of music is meant to be played, usually indicated by a musical direction ( tempo marking ) or metronome marking

2. rate or pace

tempo

1. In music, the speed at which a piece is performed. It is the Italian word for “time.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempo¹

1680–90; < Italian < Latin tempus time

Word History and Origins

Origin of tempo¹

C18: from Italian, from Latin tempus time

Example Sentences

“The team can play a high tempo game and a high skill game,” Guerin said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

If you squint, there’s an idea here that his personal needs set an unyielding tempo in their home, a notion Johnson must resonate with as someone who sets his morning alarm for 3:30 a.m.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Tampa Bay is getting healthier but that’s a long trip, and it feels like Seattle will control the tempo.

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He was the one setting the tempo and setting the press.

Read more on BBC

I've watched a couple of their games - high energy, high tempo.

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Related Words

• cadence 
• momentum 
• pace 
• velocity