<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>plural crescendos, crescendi</li><li>a gradual, steady increase in loudness or force.</li><li>a musical passage characterized by such an increase.</li><li>the performance of a crescendo passage: The crescendo by the violins is too abrupt.</li><li>a steady increase in force or intensity: The rain fell in a crescendo on the rooftops.</li><li>the climactic point or moment in such an increase; peak: The authorities finally took action when public outrage reached a crescendo.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective:</strong></p><ul><li>gradually increasing in force, volume, or loudness (decrescendo or diminuendo).</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object):</strong></p><ul><li>to grow in force or loudness.</li></ul>