fermata

/fərˈmɑdə/

Other forms: fermate

When playing or singing from sheet music, you may come across a fermata, a symbol that looks a bit like an eye with an eyebrow: 𝄐 . That’s when it’s above the note. Below the note, it’s turned upside down: 𝄑

Fermata is an Italian word for a stop or a pause, from the Latin word fermare, "make firm." A note with a fermata symbol on it is meant to be held longer than its exact value for expressive effect. The length is at the discretion of the conductor or performer, so if you’re in a choir or orchestra, you need to pay close attention to the conductor so you know when to move on from the note.

Definitions of fermata

1. noun

   (music) a pause or hold on a note or rest, with the length determined by the performer or conductor
   type of:

   continuation, lengthiness, prolongation, protraction

   the consequence of being lengthened in duration
2. noun

   (music) a symbol, 𝄐 or 𝄑, indicating that a note or rest is to be held for a length determined by the performer or conductor
   type of:

   musical notation

   (music) notation used by musicians