fermata

[ fer-mah-tuh; Italian fer-mah-tah ]

noun

, Music.

, plural fer·ma·tas, Italian fer·ma·te [fe, r, -, mah, -te].

1. the sustaining of a note, chord, or rest for a duration longer than the indicated time value, with the length of the extension at the performer's discretion.
2. a symbol  placed over a note, chord, or rest indicating a fermata.

fermata

/ fəˈmɑːtə /

noun

1. music another word for pause

Word History and Origins

Origin of fermata¹

1875–80; < Italian: stop, pause, noun use of feminine of past participle of fermare to stop < Latin firmāre to make firm. See firm ¹, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fermata¹

from Italian, from fermare to stop, from Latin firmāre to establish; see firm ¹

Example Sentences

When a note has a fermata on it, you hold it for about twice the length of time.”

From Literature

He never made too much of a fermata — especially in the famous four-note opening motif — and subtly rejected notions of fate knocking at the door, relishing instead the symphony’s exploration of motivic obsession.

From New York Times

What about the fermata over the last of the four notes in the motif?

From New York Times

In the fermata rest of the Ninth’s final bar, Frank’s horn still resonated in the mind, still asking: What of odes?

From New York Times

In the exact middle of it there is a moment: There’s a fermata, and then suddenly this E major chord.

From New York Times