First Known Use: circa 1724
Dictionary
tempo
noun tem·po \ˈtem-(ˌ)pō\
: the speed at which a musical piece is played or sung
: the speed at which something moves or happens
plural tem·pi \-(ˌ)pē\ or tempos
Full Definition of TEMPO
1
: the rate of speed of a musical piece or passage indicated by one of a series of directions (as largo, presto, or allegro) and often by an exact metronome marking
2
: rate of motion or activity : pace
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Origin of TEMPO
Italian, literally, time, from Latin tempus
TEMPO Defined for Kids
tempo
noun tem·po \ˈtem-pō\
plural tem·pi \-ˌpē\ or tempos
Definition of TEMPO for Kids
: the rate of speed at which a musical composition is played or sung
Word Root of TEMPO
The Latin word tempus, meaning “time,”and its form temporis give us the roots temp and tempor. Words from the Latin tempus have something to do with time. Something temporary lasts only a short time. Someone or something contemporary lives or occurs at the same time as someone or something else. A tempo is the speed at which music is performed in time.
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