harmonic

1 of 2

adjective

har·​mon·​ic här-ˈmä-nik How to pronounce harmonic (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to musical harmony or a harmonic
3
: pleasing to the ear : harmonious
4
: of an integrated nature : congruous
harmonically adverb

harmonic

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: overtone
especially : one whose vibration frequency is an integral multiple of that of the fundamental
b
: a flutelike tone produced on a stringed instrument by touching a vibrating string at a nodal point
2
: a component frequency of a complex wave (as of electromagnetic energy) that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency

Examples of harmonic in a Sentence

Adjective the desire to live the kind of harmonic life in which work and family are perfectly balanced
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The drivers achieve a piston-like motion across the audio spectrum which reduces harmonic distortion. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 And while the fundamentals have remained in place, the dynamics have improved noticeably, with the bass sounding far more pronounced, showing the harmonic complexities that lie beneath the band’s hard-charging, feel-good roof-raisers. Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 Sep. 2024
Noun
By themselves, McFarland and Lloyd-Watson provide strong counterpoints to one another: the former building a pillowy harmonic foundation with his falsetto and the latter cutting through it with his soulful tenor. Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 28 Sep. 2024 At the same time, the harmonic writing simmers with invention. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for harmonic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harmonic.' 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

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of harmonic was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near harmonic

Cite this Entry

“Harmonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmonic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

harmonic

1 of 2 adjective
har·​mon·​ic här-ˈmän-ik How to pronounce harmonic (audio)
: of or relating to musical harmony as opposed to melody or rhythm
harmonically adverb

harmonic

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on harmonic

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