n. n. In music, the relative rapidity of rhythm; time; movement.n. The characteristic rhythmical and metrical movement or pattern of a dance: as, tempo di valse, tempo di menuetto, etc.n. 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.