Tempo is the speed or pace of a piece of music, usually measured in beats per minute. More generally, it can mean the rate at which any activity or event happens.
It comes from Italian 'tempo' meaning 'time', from Latin 'tempus' also meaning 'time'. Musicians borrowed it to talk about the timing of music.
Changing the tempo of a song can completely change its mood—a fast love song can become a heartbreaking ballad when slowed down. Outside music, we talk about the 'tempo' of life or work because our bodies and minds feel rhythm even when there’s no drum.
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