tempo
noun
tem·po
ˈtem-(ˌ)pō 
plural tempi
ˈtem-(ˌ)pē
or tempos
or tempos
1
: the rate of speed of a musical piece or passage indicated by one of a series of directions (such as largo, presto, or allegro) and often by an exact metronome marking
2
: rate of motion or activity : pace
Examples of tempo in a Sentence
The song has a slow tempo.
The composition has many changes of tempo.
We walked at a fast tempo.
The tempo of the game slowed down.
The dance starts out fast and then switches tempo.
Recent Examples on the Web
The game will be decided by which team can control the tempo of the game.
—
Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025
In a game in which the Canadiens generally controlled the tempo and run of play, the Canucks handily won Miller’s minutes both on the scoreboard and territorially.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Part of that is knowing when to linger on a closeup (go back and rewatch the scene leading up to Joanne and Noah’s first kiss) and when to punch up the comedy by increasing the tempo — before interrupting the rhythm to land a joke.
—Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2024
In come his thoughts on personnel and roster building and tempo and staff hirings and culture and mentality and grit and all the things that make a football team a football team.
—Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tempo 
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Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025
In a game in which the Canadiens generally controlled the tempo and run of play, the Canucks handily won Miller’s minutes both on the scoreboard and territorially.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Part of that is knowing when to linger on a closeup (go back and rewatch the scene leading up to Joanne and Noah’s first kiss) and when to punch up the comedy by increasing the tempo — before interrupting the rhythm to land a joke.
—Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2024
In come his thoughts on personnel and roster building and tempo and staff hirings and culture and mentality and grit and all the things that make a football team a football team.
—Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tempo
Dictionary Entries Near tempo
Cite this Entry
“Tempo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempo. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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