noun. The speed at which music is or ought to be played, often indicated on written compositions by a descriptive or metronomic direction to the performer.

noun. A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace.

noun. undefined

noun. In music, the relative rapidity of rhythm; time; movement.

noun. The characteristic rhythmical and metrical movement or pattern of a dance: as, tempo di valse, tempo di menuetto, etc.

noun. An oval brass coin, with a square hole in the middle, first coined in Japan during the period “tempo” (1830–43 inclusive), and now equal to eight rin or cash, or eight tenths of a sen. One hundred and twenty-five tempos make one yen.

noun. The rate or degree of movement in time.

noun. in exact time; -- sometimes, directing a return to strict time after a tempo rubato.

noun. See under Rubato.

noun. a frequency or rate

noun. 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.

noun. timing of a particular event – earlier or later than in an alternative situation (as in chess example)

noun. 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)

noun. (music) the speed at which a composition is to be played

noun. the rate of some repeating event

"After any modification in tempo (either faster or slower) has been suggested it is usual to indicate a return to the normal rate by some such expression as _a tempo_ (lit. in time), _a tempo primo_ (lit. in the first time), _tempo primo_, or _tempo_."