ethnomusicology

noun

eth·​no·​mu·​si·​col·​o·​gy ˌeth-nō-ˌmyü-zi-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce ethnomusicology (audio)
1
: the study of music that is outside the European art tradition
2
: the study of music in a sociocultural context
ethnomusicological adjective
ethnomusicologist noun

Examples of ethnomusicology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her ethnomusicology thesis was on the influence of African music on Cuban music. Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2024 Dunn, who grew up in Los Angeles, studied molecular biology and ethnomusicology, or the examination of music and its cultural contexts, as an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley. Victoria Sayo Turner, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Aug. 2023 Este, meanwhile, finished a five-year ethnomusicology degree program at UCLA in just two years. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 25 July 2023 Entering the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1970, Sakamoto earned a B.A. in music composition, an M.A. in electronic and ethnic music, and studied ethnomusicology with a desire to become a researcher in the traditional music of Japan, India and Africa. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 2 Apr. 2023 She’s been a violin virtuoso since the age of six, eventually studying ethnomusicology, performance and songwriting at Berklee, and earning a master’s in viola at UCLA. Rianna Turner, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021 Columbia CNY’s music performance program offers concentrations in composition, ethnomusicology, historical musicology and music theory. Jeff Bond, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2022 Khalil, a former U.C. San Diego researcher who now teaches ethnomusicology at University College Cork in Ireland, focuses on how music gets people to synchronize their behavior. Frank Rose, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2022 Kammin, 45, is a Ph.D. student in ethnomusicology in Boulder, Colorado. Christine Fennessy, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ethnomusicology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethnomusicology was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near ethnomusicology

Cite this Entry

“Ethnomusicology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnomusicology. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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