What does "forte" mean in musical terms?

In musical terms, "forte" indicates that a passage should be played loudly. This dynamic marking is part of a set of instructions that composers use to convey the intended volume of sound. The term is derived from Italian, where "forte" translates directly to "strong" or "loud." When musicians see this marking in the score, they know to deliver the music with a strong, forceful sound, contributing to the overall expression and intensity of the performance. The clarity of this instruction helps performers interpret the music as the composer envisioned, creating the desired emotional impact in the piece.