rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytempoSpeed or pace
noun

tempo

TEM-poh/ˈtempəʊ/

The pace at which something proceeds.

The violinist follows the tempo set by the swinging metronome.

A musician keeping musical pace beside a swinging mechanical metronome while playing violin, instrument and beat movement clear, no sheet music or numerals.
Etymology
tempoLatintime, season

Latin tempus meant “time”; in music, tempo came to mean how rapidly the rhythm moves. That musical sense of rate was extended to the pace of other activity.

In context

Adafruit Industries41:42
i'm going to slow the tempo down on this real quick so you can see that better
JOHN PARK'S WORKSHOP LIVE 12/2/21 NeoSlider Controller Build @adafruit @johnedgarpark #adafruit

More examples

  • The drummer sets a brisk tempo for the song.
  • Quick passes keep the tempo of the game high.
  • We enjoy the slower tempo of life in this town.

Forms

tempo · tempos · tempi

Similar words

pace
Often emphasizes how quickly an activity moves forward.
speed
Emphasizes how fast something happens, without suggesting a rhythm.
rate
Usually expresses speed as a measurable amount per unit.