ritardando

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

ri·​tar·​dan·​do ri-ˌtär-ˈdän-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce ritardando (audio)
ˌrē-
: with a gradual slackening in tempo
used as a direction in music

ritardando

2 of 2

noun

plural ritardandos
: a ritardando passage

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Italian, from Latin retardandum, gerund of retardare to retard

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1806, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ritardando was in 1806

Dictionary Entries Near ritardando

Cite this Entry

“Ritardando.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritardando. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ritardando

adverb or adjective
ri·​tar·​dan·​do
ri-ˌtär-ˈdän-dō,
ˌrē-
: with a gradual slowing of tempo
used as a direction in music
ritardando noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!