A crescendo is a gradual, steady increase in loudness or force, specifically a gradual increase in volume of a musical passage. It is a musical term that refers to a passage of music that gradually gets louder, reaching a peak or climax. Crescendos are often notated in sheet music with a symbol that looks like an angled, elongated triangle. In addition to music, the term crescendo can also be used metaphorically to describe a gradual increase in excitement, danger, or other emotions.