Cadenza – A passage usually towards the end of a song where a soloist plays an elaborate and showy flourish

(Pronounced ka-den-zuh)

Note: The cadenza usually serves as the climax.

To remember what cadenza means, use the following mnemonic:

The cadet has influenza (cadenza). She had to perform solo because no one would go near her, but at least she did it with a flourish.

Examples of cadenza in a sentence

The soloist used a cadenza to end the song.

The cadenza impressed the audience.

You have to be an accomplished musician to play a great cadenza.