# tempo

/ˈtɛmˌpoʊ/ (US) · /tˈɛmpəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tempo
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. music speed

noun · CEFR B2

the speed at which a piece of music is played.

For teachers: the rate of speed or pace of a musical passage, typically measured in beats per minute.

- The conductor asked the orchestra to play at a faster tempo for the final part of the song.
- The piece begins with a slow, mournful adagio before shifting into a much more energetic tempo for the second movement.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'increase', 'slow down', or 'maintain'.

### 2. general pace

noun · CEFR B2

the speed or rhythm of an activity or a period of time.

For teachers: the rate of motion or activity; the characteristic pace of a process or event.

- The tempo of modern life can feel very stressful if you do not take time to relax.
- The team struggled to keep up with the high tempo of the game in the final twenty minutes of the match.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'the tempo of [something]'.

### 3. strategy/chess

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a move that gives you a timing advantage over an opponent.

For teachers: a unit of time or a move that allows a player to gain a strategic advantage by forcing an opponent to react.

- By attacking the queen, he gained a tempo and improved his position on the board.
- The grandmaster sacrificed a pawn to gain a crucial tempo, effectively seizing the initiative for the remainder of the endgame.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to games like chess or bridge; learners should use 'pace' or 'speed' in everyday contexts.

## Examples

- The drummer sets the tempo for the rest of the band.
- The conductor signaled for a faster tempo to bring more energy to the final movement of the symphony.
- While the first act of the play moves slowly to establish the characters, the second act increases the tempo significantly as the central conflict reaches its peak.

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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.