tempo
Americannoun
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tempos,
plural
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tempi
plural
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Music. relative rapidity or rate of movement, usually indicated by such terms as adagio, allegro, etc., or by reference to the metronome.
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characteristic rate, rhythm, or pattern of work or activity.
the tempo of city life.
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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.
noun
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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
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rate or pace
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tempo
1680–90; < Italian < Latin tempus time
Explanation
If no one is dancing at your party, you probably want to put on some music with a faster tempo — meaning a faster speed. The word tempo came into English by way of Italian, tracing all the way back to the Latin word tempus, meaning time. It was originally used to describe the timing of music, or the speed at which a piece of music is played. For example, a soothing song would be described as a slow tempo song. Tempo is still used in this way to describe music, but you’ll also hear it used to refer to pace or speed in general, as in — "the increased tempo at the end of a close basketball game" or "the slow tempo of action in a novel."
Vocabulary lists containing tempo
It's About Time: Chron and Temp
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Music - Introductory
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Music - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He batted at the ideal tempo and though he missed the chance to reach a maiden international century the next two Tests look an ideal opportunity to press his case.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
A prolonged blockade is likely to put more strain on naval ships and the sailors aboard them who are operating at a high tempo with little rest, according to some U.S. officials.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
Blumenthal said the reported issues on the ship raise the broader question of "whether the Navy can sustain the operational tempo now being demanded of its carrier force."
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
“For example, if Kensho-san says something in the character Yuru, and I hear that, I actually adjust my performance a little bit to match some of his tempo or timing,” she said.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
“At least the tempo of life is not as intense as in the other Regions. It is a pleasant atmosphere.”
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
Conductor Eun Sun Kim, her tempi flexible and unindulgent and her dynamics well-calibrated, never forgot that “Parsifal” is an opera, not a religious service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 19, 2025
Froschauer praises Thielemann for interacting with musicians, deferring in performance to the tempi of former concertmaster Rainer Küchl.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 3, 2023
I’d map out the terrain of the evening and the tempi of movements as though plotting a hike into someone else’s imagination.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 23, 2022
Declining White’s King’s Gambit is perfectly playable for Black, but allowing the king’s bishop to be traded off and wasting several tempi with the queen’s knight get Blood into quick trouble.
From Washington Times ● Feb. 9, 2021
The following are some terms and their beats per minute to help you gauge different tempi.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
The most infectious song on the album is Ms Paper, which takes a detour into Bouyon – a Dominican music characterised by high tempos and frantic percussion.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Last fall, the company launched 30 product updates that included “lossless” audio and playlist mixing, in which users can add transitions and match tempos between songs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026
In addition, many investors calibrate their outlooks during earnings season to reflect companies’ guidance, which affects short-term market tempos.
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2025
Slowcore is a subgenre of indie rock characterised by its slow tempos, minimal arrangements, and melancholic atmosphere.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2025
It is appropriate to introduce a few concepts when performing songs and games with children, and also to experiment with these concepts, such as changing tempos and dynamics.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
