Which term is described as 'gradually slowing down'?

• A. Ritardando
• B. Poco
• C. Piu
• D. Glissando

Answer: (A)

Gradual slowing of tempo is indicated by ritardando. This marking tells you to slow down in a measured, expanding way, often spreading the slowdown over several beats or measures. It’s commonly seen as ritardando or abbreviated rit. in a score. The other terms here don’t describe a tempo change: poco means a little (often modifying how much of something, not the tempo itself); piu means more (as in tempo or dynamics, but not a slowing instruction by itself); glissando refers to a slide between pitches, not a tempo adjustment. So ritardando is the marking that directly communicates a gradual decrease in speed.