music

noun

mu·​sic ˈmyü-zik How to pronounce music (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony
choral music
piano music
recorded music
b
: the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity
2
: a distinctive type or category of music
there is a music for everybodyEric Salzman
rock music
jazz music
classical music
3
: a musical accompaniment
a play set to music
4
: the score (see score entry 1 sense 6a) of a musical composition set down on paper
leafing through the music
5
a
: musical quality
the music of verse
the music of lovingly orchestrated wordsSaturday Review
b
: an agreeable sound : euphony
her voice was music to my ears
the music of a nightingale

Examples of music in a Sentence

This is one of my favorite pieces of music. performing music in front of an audience dancing to the music of a big band They are writing music for a new album. a song with music by George Gershwin and words by Ira Gershwin He is learning to read music. She studied music in college.
Recent Examples on the Web With Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, users can directly access their phone’s essential functions, such as navigation, contacts, music, and more, from the car display. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024 With an increasing number of artists deciding to sell the rights to their music, RAYE’s success with her Human Re Sources partnership signals a different path forward for artists. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 There will also be live music, food trucks and fun for all ages. Andrea Manes, Orange County Register, 14 Mar. 2024 The partners collective was part of Salonen’s goal to bring changes and new ideas to the orchestra and to classical music in general. Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 In 2021, the festival paid homage to the music of Phillips County native Levon Helm. Sean Clancy, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2024 The music sort of falls apart at the end, on purpose. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Live music, Irish fare, drink specials and shenanigans. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Over the years, Musgraves has opened up about her small-town upbringing in both interviews and her music. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English musik, from Anglo-French musike, from Latin musica, from Greek mousikē any art presided over by the Muses, especially music, from feminine of mousikos of the Muses, from Mousa Muse

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of music was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near music

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

music

noun
mu·​sic ˈmyü-zik How to pronounce music (audio)
1
a
: the art of producing pleasing or expressive combinations of tones especially with melody, rhythm, and usually harmony
b
: a musical composition set down on paper
bring your music
2
a
: sounds that have rhythm, harmony, and melody
b
: an agreeable sound
the music of a brook
Etymology

Middle English musik "music," from early French musike (same meaning), from Latin musica (same meaning), from Greek mousikē "any art under the control or guidance of the Muses," derived from Mousa "Muse" — related to museum see Word History at museum

More from Merriam-Webster on music

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