What term is used to describe music that slows down?

The term that describes music that slows down is "ritardando." This term is derived from the Italian word for "slowing down," and it instructs musicians to gradually decrease the tempo of the music. This technique is often used to create a sense of finality, to build tension, or to enhance emotional expression within a piece. It can occur at various points in a composition and is typically notated with the word "ritardando" or its abbreviation "rit."

In contrast, "accelerando" refers to a gradual increase in tempo, while "stretto" indicates a more complex interaction, where themes are played in increasingly overlapping manner, contributing to a feeling of urgency but not tempo change. "Legato" refers to a style of playing or singing in a smooth and connected manner, without breaks between notes, which is unrelated to tempo changes. Thus, ritardando is distinctly recognized for its role in slowing down the pace of the music.