tempo

plural tempos · plural tempi

1. A frequency or rate.

   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.

2. board gamesA 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. bridgeThe 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.

   the tempo effect in fertility measurements

5. entertainmentThe 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)

   The song has a slow tempo that makes it relaxing.

   2 more examples

   The conductor asked the orchestra to increase the tempo.

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

6. cyclingThe 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).

   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.

   2025, Banu Mushtaq, “Be a Woman Once, Oh Lord!”, in Deepa Bhasthi, transl., Heart Lamp, And Other Stories, page 208

8. American footballA rapid rate of play by the offense resulting from reducing the amount of time which elapses after one play ends and the next starts.

plural tempos

1. A temporary carport.

plural Tempos · plural Tempoes · alternative tempo

1. QuebecautomotiveA type of car shelter, a temporary kit-built prefabricated steel-framed high tunnel peaked hoop house with an impermeable translucent plastic fabric cover, and flap doors.

alternative tempo

1. A female given name.