# coda

/ˈkoʊdə/ (US) · /kˈəʊdɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coda
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a short piece of music that comes at the end of a song or movement. It can also describe a final part of a story or event that wraps things up.

For teachers: a concluding section of a musical composition or movement, often serving as a transition to the final cadence. By extension, it refers to a concluding part of a narrative or process.

## Examples

- The song ends with a short, quiet coda.
- After the main themes of the symphony had finished, the composer added a brief coda to leave the audience with a final, haunting melody.
- The documentary concludes with a reflective coda that examines how the events of the previous decade have shaped the current political landscape.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.