tempos

Variant of tempo

tempo definition

tempo (tem′pō)

noun pl. tempos -·pos or tempi -·pi (-pē)

  1. the speed at which a musical composition is, or is supposed to be, performed: it is indicated by such notations as allegro, andante, etc. or by reference to metronome timing
  2. rate of activity; pace the tempo of modern living

Etymology: It < L tempus, time: see temper

tempo Idioms

in tempo

conforming to the speed at which a piece of music is, or should be, played

out of tempo

  1. not in tempo
  2. Jazz deliberately deviating from the regular tempo; rubato

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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