Definition of "fermata" []

• Music The prolongation of a tone, chord, or rest beyond its indicated time value. (noun)
• Music The sign indicating this prolongation. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The _fermata_ or _hold_ [fermata symbol] over a note or chord indicates that the tone is to be prolonged, the duration of the prolongation depending upon the character of the music and the taste of the performer or conductor."
• "The sax held the final fermata, a wistful confession, and bent it into tune."
• "The sax held the final fermata, a wistful confession."