rondo

[ron-doh, ron-doh]

noun, plural ron·dos. Music.

a work or movement, often the last movement of a sonata, having one principal subject that is stated at least three times in the same key and to which return is made after the introduction of each subordinate theme.

Origin of rondo

1790–1800; < Italian < French rondeau; see rondel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for rondo

Historical Examples of rondo

It consists of an air, nine variations and a finale which is in rondo form.
A Popular History of the Art of Music
W. S. B. Mathews
Only the Adagio and Rondo of his Concerto had a decided success.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician
Frederick Niecks
The Rondo, Op. 73, was not originally written for two pianos.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician
Frederick Niecks
To her Chopin dedicated his first published work, Rondo, op. 1.
Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)
Moritz Karasowski
After this Aria came my Adagio and Rondo, and then the usual interval.
Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)
Moritz Karasowski

British Dictionary definitions for rondo

rondo

noun plural -dos

a piece of music in which a refrain is repeated between episodes: often constitutes the form of the last movement of a sonata or concerto

Word Origin for rondo

C18: from Italian, from French rondeau

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rondo

1797, "musical composition of one principal theme, which is repeated at least once," from Italian rondo, from French rondeau, rondel, from Old French rondel "little round" (see rondel).