noun
tempo
TEHM-poh
noun
1
The speed at which a piece of music is played, or the beat that sets that speed.
"The conductor picked up the tempo for the final movement."
"This song has a slow, relaxed tempo."
2
The overall pace or rhythm of an activity or event.
"The team needs to raise the tempo if they want to win this game."
How to Use Tempo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow fast something moves or happens — most often used for music, but also for the pace of a game or activity.
Common pairings
fast tempo
set the tempo
change of tempo
Word Forms
tempos plural, tempi plural, tempos plural, Tempos plural, Tempoes plural
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The conductor picked up the _____ for the final movement.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian tempo, "time," from Latin tempus.