Tempo

/ˈtɛm.pəʊ/ · noun

Meaning

A frequency or rate..

Definitions by Sense

1. A frequency or rate.
2. (chess) 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 (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.
3. (bridge) The timing advantage of being on lead, thus being first to initiate a strategy to develop tricks for one's side.
4. The timing of a particular event – earlier or later than in an alternative situation.
5. (music) 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)
6. (cycling) The steady pace set by the frontmost riders.
7. A small truck or cargo van with three or four wheels, commonly used for commercial transport and deliveries (particularly in Asian and African countries).
8. (American football) A rapid rate of play by the offense resulting from reducing the amount of time which elapses after one play ends and the next starts.

Example Sentences

10 calls per hour isn't a bad start, but we'll need to up the tempo if we want to reach our target of selling insurance policies.

the tempo effect in fertility measurements

The conductor asked the orchestra to increase the tempo.

The song has a slow tempo that makes it relaxing.

The dancer kept pace with the shifting tempo of the music.

From the back door of a tempo with his too-strong hands he lifted a woman wearing red clothes, like a precious jewel wrapped in gold embroidered cloth.

Synonyms for tempo

Antonyms for tempo

Related Words

Word Forms

• tempos
• tempi

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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