tempo

C2 Topic:Music Theory

US /ˈtɛm.poʊ/ UK /ˈtɛm.pəʊ/ See IPA manual

Freq #14040

Meanings

1

noun
in music, the speed at which a composition is to be played

The tempo is 120 beats per minute for this piece.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · in music, the speed at... pacing

Word family

Forms tempitempos

Related forms high-tempotemporal tempestuous atemporal tempest

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

fast tempo
a quick speed at which a piece of music is played

Adjective + noun

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian tempo, from Latin tempus (“time”). Doublet of tense. (truck or cargo van): A genericized trademark, originally associated with the manufacturer Vidal & Sohn Tempo-Werke GmbH.

*temh₁- Proto-Indo-European tempo Italian tempus Latin

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Topics

Music Theory Art & Music

External links

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