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
And everyone else has to share the air that’s created by the rest of La Brea and the rest of Sunset, but there’s this one block that still can create its own tempo without having to drive out an hour and a half or an hour in traffic to touch that kind of air.
—
Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 5 Jan. 2026
Going up against a team many expected to repeat and a defense that ranked first nationally in the major categories, the Hurricanes dictated the tempo and the tone by dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
—Paul Myerberg, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
His speed in the open floor, his willingness to push tempo and his ability to organize an offense when things get chaotic.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
In keeping with Marty Supreme’s tachycardiac tempo and its titular character’s maniacal hustle, Chalamet was adamant that the execution not feel too polished.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempo
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Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 5 Jan. 2026
Going up against a team many expected to repeat and a defense that ranked first nationally in the major categories, the Hurricanes dictated the tempo and the tone by dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
—Paul Myerberg, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
His speed in the open floor, his willingness to push tempo and his ability to organize an offense when things get chaotic.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
In keeping with Marty Supreme’s tachycardiac tempo and its titular character’s maniacal hustle, Chalamet was adamant that the execution not feel too polished.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tempo
Cite this Entry
“Tempo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempo. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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