终止是指以旋律或和声上的配置作为乐曲的解决或歇止。在调性音乐中终止是用来强调乐句的主音（"Tonic"）的主要方法。

和声终止（Harmonic cadence）指以最少两个和弦的进行作出终止。节奏终止（Rhythmic cadence）指以一个节奏的模式标示乐曲的终止。

终止也有强弱之分，弱终止标记乐曲的停顿，强终止标记乐句的歇止，而终止的强弱取决于其"完结"的感觉，此外具有终止的和弦进行但没有"完结"的感觉也不能算是终止。

In Western musical theory, a cadence (Latin cadentia, "a falling") is "a melodic or harmonic configuration that creates a sense of resolution [finality or pause]." A harmonic cadence is a progression of (at least) two chords that concludes a phrase, section, or piece of music. A rhythmic cadence is a characteristic rhythmic pattern that indicates the end of a phrase. A cadence is labeled more or less "weak" or "strong" depending on its sense of finality. While cadences are usually classified by specific chord or melodic progressions, the use of such progressions does not necessarily constitute a cadence—there must be a sense of closure, as at the end of a phrase. Harmonic rhythm plays an important part in determining where a cadence occurs.