Illustration of crescendo
- mark indicating crescendo 2
cre·scen·do
krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō 
plural crescendos also crescendoes or crescendi
krə-ˈshen-dē
1
a
: a gradual increase
a crescendo of excitement
specifically
: a gradual increase in volume of a musical passage
b
: the peak of a gradual increase : climax
… complaints about stifling smog conditions reach a crescendo …—
Down Beat
Down Beat2
: a crescendo musical passage
crescendo
intransitive verb
crescendo
2 of 2adverb or adjective
: with an increase in volume
—used as a direction in music
Examples of crescendo in a Sentence
Noun
The noise rose to a crescendo.
excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage
Recent Examples on the Web
Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025
Last night, the buzz around the 2025 BAFTAs race came to a crescendo at British Vogue’s Fashion & Film after-party.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
For now, hockey’s moment with the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off and its Thursday night crescendo is worth celebrating, and exploring, more than the current NBA malaise is worth lamenting or dwelling upon.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
There was more negative body language after Sinner served out that set at love to continue his crescendo, the final note an ace at 120 mph (194 kph).
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crescendo
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.
Noun
Not only does an exhaust valve open to wake up the engine’s full voice, the long, silky power delivery is able to unfurl in a delicious crescendo of thrust and sound that peaks at 9,500 rpm.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025
Last night, the buzz around the 2025 BAFTAs race came to a crescendo at British Vogue’s Fashion & Film after-party.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
For now, hockey’s moment with the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off and its Thursday night crescendo is worth celebrating, and exploring, more than the current NBA malaise is worth lamenting or dwelling upon.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
There was more negative body language after Sinner served out that set at love to continue his crescendo, the final note an ace at 120 mph (194 kph).
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crescendo
Articles Related to crescendo
Cite this Entry
“Crescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crescendo. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share