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

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

Pauline Bourdon-Sansus is perhaps the finest scrum-half in the women's game and drove her team on with tempo from the base.

From BBC

Then the boys ran the course— the first mile very slowly, the second mile a little faster, and the last mile not at true race pace, but at a good tempo.

From Los Angeles Times

Where previously they have struggled to find the tempo, most alarming here was the inability to halt their slide.

From BBC

Related Words

• cadence 
• momentum 
• pace 
• velocity