tenuto

American  

[tuh-noo-toh, te-noo-taw] / təˈnu toʊ, tɛˈnu tɔ /

adjective

1. Music. (of a note, chord, or rest) held to the full time value.

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tenuto British  

/ tɪˈnjuːtəʊ /

adjective

1. music (of a note) to be held for or beyond its full time value

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Etymology

Origin of tenuto

1890–95; < Italian: held (past participle of tenere ) < Vulgar Latin *tenūtus, for Latin tentus

Explanation

When singing or playing from a piece of sheet music, you’ll sometimes encounter the word tenuto over a note, telling you to make sure you hold it for its full value. Sometimes it applies to a rest instead of a note. As long as the rhythm is kept, it's usually okay to end a note or a rest a tiny bit early — for example, in order to reach a more difficult note. But when you're instructed to perform it tenuto, it’s important not to cut off the note or rest too soon, but to hold it so the listener notices its full effect. Tenuto is Italian for "held" or "sustained." Often, just the symbol is used, a small straight line above or below the note or rest.

Example Sentences

But Stasevska’s heavily opinionated interpretation was unusual from the start; the slurred tenuto phrases of the strings, rather than gentle waves approaching a shore, were a ride along a bumpy road.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2023

Egli avea tenuto sempre un contegno da guadagnarsi il cuore di tutto.

From The Art of Needle-work, from the Earliest Ages, 3rd ed. Including Some Notices of the Ancient Historical Tapestries by Menzies, Sutherland, fl. 1840-1883

Cesar Borgia che era della gente Per armi e per virt� tenuto un sole, Mancar dovendo and� dove andar sole Phebo, verso la sera, al Occidente.

From The Life of Cesare Borgia by Sabatini, Rafael