coda

noun

co·​da ˈkō-də How to pronounce coda (audio)
1
a
: a concluding musical section that is formally distinct from the main structure
b
: a concluding part of a literary or dramatic work
2
: something that serves to round out, conclude, or summarize and usually has its own interest

Examples of coda in a Sentence

The movie's coda shows the main character as an adult 25 years later.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shostakovich’s son, Maxim, passed along a more plausible framing of the coda. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024 In the end, this leads to a novel that might be Murakami’s most navel-gazing work, and one that has the unmistakable feel of a coda. Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024 The period marked a sad coda to Gainsbourg’s often mythic life, which began to dramatically unravel in the public eye. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 14 Oct. 2024 Carmen Aristegui, the prominent Mexican journalist and news anchor whose fame may insulate her to some degree from risk, provides a coda to the film, addressing the stakes for a democratic nation where reporters routinely face mortal danger. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coda 

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, tail, from Latin cauda

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coda was in 1740

Dictionary Entries Near coda

Cite this Entry

“Coda.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coda. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

coda

noun
co·​da ˈkōd-ə How to pronounce coda (audio)
: a closing section in a musical composition
Etymology

Italian, literally, "tail," from Latin coda, cauda "tail" — related to coward, cue entry 3, queue see Word History at coward, queue

More from Merriam-Webster on coda

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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