crescendo Definition

crescendo
noun crescendos

1. A gradual increase in loudness.
2. A musical passage of increasing loudness.
3. A high point or climax. Also as adj.

Example: a crescendo piece

verb

intr
crescendoed, crescendoing
1. To increase gradually in loudness.

adverb

1. music.
Played with increasing loudness. Compare diminuendo.

Etymology: 18c: Italian, meaning ‘increasing', from Latin crescere to grow.