n.
Pronunciation: ' tem-( ˌ )p ō
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural tem · pi \ -( ˌ )p ē \ or tempos
Etymology: Italian, literally, time, from Latin tempus
Date: circa 1724
1 : the rate of speed of a musical piece or passage indicated by one of a series of directions (as largo, presto, or allegro) and often by an exact metronome marking
2 : rate of motion or activity : PACE