What does tempo mean?
Definitions for tempo
ˈtɛm poʊtem·po
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word tempo.
Princeton's WordNet
tempo, pacingnoun
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
tempo, pacenoun
the rate of some repeating event
Wiktionary
temponoun
a frequency or rate
temponoun
a move which is part of one's own plan or strategy and forces, e.g. by means of a check or attacking a piece, the opponent to make a move which is not bad but of no use for him (the player gains a tempo, the opponent loses a tempo), or equivalently a player achieves the same result in fewer moves by one approach rather than another.
temponoun
timing of a particular event – earlier or later than in an alternative situation (as in chess example)
temponoun
The number of beats per minute in a piece of music; also, an indicative term denoting approximate rate of speed in written music (examples: allegro, andante)
Wikipedia
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo (Italian, 'time'; plural tempos, or tempi from the Italian plural) is the speed or pace of a given piece. In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece (often using conventional Italian terms) and is usually measured in beats per minute (or bpm). In modern classical compositions, a "metronome mark" in beats per minute may supplement or replace the normal tempo marking, while in modern genres like electronic dance music, tempo will typically simply be stated in BPM. Tempo may be separated from articulation and meter, or these aspects may be indicated along with tempo, all contributing to the overall texture. While the ability to hold a steady tempo is a vital skill for a musical performer, tempo is changeable. Depending on the genre of a piece of music and the performers' interpretation, a piece may be played with slight tempo rubato or drastic variances. In ensembles, the tempo is often indicated by a conductor or by one of the instrumentalists, for instance the drummer.
ChatGPT
tempo
Tempo refers to the speed or pace at which a piece of music or a part of music is played. It can also extend to other areas to indicate the speed or pace of an event or activity. In musical terms, tempo is usually measured in beats per minute (BPM) and is often indicated at the start of a musical piece with terms like "slow", "moderate" or "fast", or using terms borrowed from Italian such as "adagio", "andante", "allegro", etc.
Webster Dictionary
Temponoun
the rate or degree of movement in time
Wikidata
TEMPO
oxyl, or oxidanyl or TEMPO is a chemical compound with the formula (CH2)3(CMe2)2NO. This heterocyclic compound is a red-orange, sublimable solid. As a stable radical, it has applications throughout chemistry and biochemistry. TEMPO was discovered by Lebedev and Kazarnowskii in 1960. It is prepared by oxidation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine. TEMPO is widely used as a radical trap, as a structural probe for biological systems in conjunction with electron spin resonance spectroscopy, as a reagent in organic synthesis, and as a mediator in controlled free radical polymerization. The stability of this radical is attributed to the steric protection provided by the four methyl groups adjacent to the nitroxyl group.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Tempo
tem′pō, n. (mus.) time, relative rapidity of rhythm. [It.]
Suggested Resources
tempo
Song lyrics by tempo -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by tempo on the Lyrics.com website.
Matched Categories
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
- [["1520","1"],["1564","17"],["1584","3"],["1630","1"],["1631","2"],["1635","1"],["1658","27"],["1659","1"],["1662","1"],["1667","1"],["1673","1"],["1675","2"],["1681","1"],["1686","1"],["1687","1"],["1692","1"],["1694","2"],["1699","1"],["1700","1"],["1701","1"],["1705","1"],["1708","1"],["1709","1"],["1711","2"],["1712","5"],["1715","9"],["1716","1"],["1717","4"],["1719","1"],["1720","2"],["1723","2"],["1725","7"],["1726","2"],["1727","3"],["1728","8"],["1729","2"],["1730","6"],["1731","7"],["1732","46"],["1733","1"],["1734","4"],["1735","1"],["1736","2"],["1737","42"],["1739","4"],["1740","24"],["1741","7"],["1742","7"],["1743","4"],["1744","10"],["1747","7"],["1748","7"],["1749","12"],["1750","5"],["1751","10"],["1752","9"],["1753","17"],["1754","7"],["1755","118"],["1756","8"],["1757","42"],["1758","7"],["1759","38"],["1760","5"],["1761","12"],["1762","10"],["1763","7"],["1764","3"],["1765","5"],["1766","8"],["1767","5"],["1768","131"],["1769","20"],["1770","9"],["1771","5"],["1772","20"],["1773","9"],["1774","3"],["1775","17"],["1776","30"],["1777","9"],["1778","11"],["1779","5"],["1780","6"],["1781","20"],["1782","31"],["1783","6"],["1784","5"],["1785","19"],["1786","33"],["1787","25"],["1788","44"],["1789","86"],["1790","19"],["1791","11"],["1792","13"],["1793","20"],["1794","44"],["1795","322"],["1796","128"],["1797","236"],["1798","23"],["1799","122"],["1800","31"],["1801","29"],["1802","27"],["1803","87"],["1804","40"],["1805","334"],["1806","238"],["1807","168"],["1808","42"],["1809","90"],["1810","123"],["1811","50"],["1812","71"],["1813","65"],["1814","78"],["1815","43"],["1816","118"],["1817","94"],["1818","148"],["1819","87"],["1820","252"],["1821","184"],["1822","379"],["1823","397"],["1824","294"],["1825","520"],["1826","156"],["1827","299"],["1828","299"],["1829","112"],["1830","258"],["1831","136"],["1832","128"],["1833","157"],["1834","406"],["1835","295"],["1836","146"],["1837","118"],["1838","103"],["1839","189"],["1840","693"],["1841","528"],["1842","194"],["1843","168"],["1844","274"],["1845","204"],["1846","410"],["1847","415"],["1848","242"],["1849","208"],["1850","254"],["1851","251"],["1852","153"],["1853","719"],["1854","304"],["1855","238"],["1856","514"],["1857","240"],["1858","290"],["1859","189"],["1860","333"],["1861","256"],["1862","218"],["1863","190"],["1864","286"],["1865","368"],["1866","550"],["1867","251"],["1868","270"],["1869","200"],["1870","254"],["1871","207"],["1872","318"],["1873","268"],["1874","237"],["1875","424"],["1876","358"],["1877","304"],["1878","245"],["1879","331"],["1880","520"],["1881","439"],["1882","713"],["1883","621"],["1884","358"],["1885","534"],["1886","503"],["1887","685"],["1888","532"],["1889","440"],["1890","517"],["1891","1543"],["1892","1179"],["1893","631"],["1894","863"],["1895","791"],["1896","1159"],["1897","859"],["1898","1028"],["1899","1234"],["1900","1206"],["1901","1296"],["1902","1374"],["1903","930"],["1904","1086"],["1905","1060"],["1906","1252"],["1907","1424"],["1908","1614"],["1909","1426"],["1910","1849"],["1911","1577"],["1912","1625"],["1913","1685"],["1914","1669"],["1915","1600"],["1916","1197"],["1917","1236"],["1918","1234"],["1919","1813"],["1920","1681"],["1921","1656"],["1922","1857"],["1923","1952"],["1924","1911"],["1925","2669"],["1926","1902"],["1927","2744"],["1928","2473"],["1929","2700"],["1930","3423"],["1931","3703"],["1932","3289"],["1933","2882"],["1934","4778"],["1935","4171"],["1936","4711"],["1937","5244"],["1938","5098"],["1939","5937"],["1940","5788"],["1941","6166"],["1942","6166"],["1943","4763"],["1944","5072"],["1945","5079"],["1946","6047"],["1947","7499"],["1948","8186"],["1949","9485"],["1950","8797"],["1951","7700"],["1952","7757"],["1953","9292"],["1954","9545"],["1955","8586"],["1956","10077"],["1957","10514"],["1958","10832"],["1959","12337"],["1960","12725"],["1961","14628"],["1962","16102"],["1963","16269"],["1964","15458"],["1965","15730"],["1966","20114"],["1967","18383"],["1968","21288"],["1969","20697"],["1970","19648"],["1971","20199"],["1972","20368"],["1973","20083"],["1974","20043"],["1975","20746"],["1976","21426"],["1977","20416"],["1978","22236"],["1979","21796"],["1980","20929"],["1981","20856"],["1982","21172"],["1983","23033"],["1984","22241"],["1985","23819"],["1986","25102"],["1987","22683"],["1988","27666"],["1989","27485"],["1990","27533"],["1991","25475"],["1992","29320"],["1993","30656"],["1994","29252"],["1995","32696"],["1996","31092"],["1997","38846"],["1998","36665"],["1999","33701"],["2000","40177"],["2001","40424"],["2002","46853"],["2003","46465"],["2004","54975"],["2005","46772"],["2006","52307"],["2007","50001"],["2008","50346"]]
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of tempo in Chaldean Numerology is: 1
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of tempo in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
Examples of tempo in a Sentence
We knew it was going to be a challenge, i thought we set the tempo at the start of the game and overall played pretty good. A few bounces went their way and they capitalized.
The direct effect on our mind is achieved by the words, the text, the thought, which arouse consideration. Our will is directly affected by the super-objective, by other objectives, by a through line of action. Our feelings are directly worked upon by tempo-rhythm.
The tempo and tenor of the recent explosions in Iran have been unusual. There is evidence of a concerted campaign underway to thwart Irans nuclear program, the more Iran advances its nuclear program in violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the greater the likelihood for additional strikes.
They will want not only to surprise the Russians with the time and location of their main and supporting thrusts, but will want to generate an operational tempo that overwhelms the Russian ability to respond quickly or at the right time with the right force.
British Prime Minister David Cameron:
I've already upped the tempo, i will be in the next few days taking to the streets and taking this message about how we should continue with the plan that's working.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for tempo
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
Get even more translations for tempo »
Translation
Find a translation for the tempo definition in other languages:
Select another language:
- - Select -
- 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
- 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
- Español (Spanish)
- Esperanto (Esperanto)
- 日本語 (Japanese)
- Português (Portuguese)
- Deutsch (German)
- العربية (Arabic)
- Français (French)
- Русский (Russian)
- ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
- 한국어 (Korean)
- עברית (Hebrew)
- Gaeilge (Irish)
- Українська (Ukrainian)
- اردو (Urdu)
- Magyar (Hungarian)
- मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
- Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Italiano (Italian)
- தமிழ் (Tamil)
- Türkçe (Turkish)
- తెలుగు (Telugu)
- ภาษาไทย (Thai)
- Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- Čeština (Czech)
- Polski (Polish)
- Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Românește (Romanian)
- Nederlands (Dutch)
- Ελληνικά (Greek)
- Latinum (Latin)
- Svenska (Swedish)
- Dansk (Danish)
- Suomi (Finnish)
- فارسی (Persian)
- ייִדיש (Yiddish)
- հայերեն (Armenian)
- Norsk (Norwegian)
- English (English)
Word of the Day
Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?
Citation
Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"tempo." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 21 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/tempo>.
.jpg/170px-Electronic-metronome(scale).jpg "tempo")
Discuss these tempo definitions with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In