ensemble

play

noun en·sem·ble \ än-ˈsäm-bəl , äⁿ- \

Definition of ensemble

:a group producing a single effect: such as

a :concerted music of two or more parts

b :a complete costume of harmonizing or complementary clothing and accessories

c (1) :the musicians engaged in the performance of a musical ensemble

(2) :a group of supporting players, singers, or dancers; especially :corps de ballet

See ensemble defined for English-language learners

See ensemble defined for kids

Examples of ensemble in a Sentence

We went to listen to a new jazz ensemble.
She wore an elegant three-piece ensemble.
The actor performed an ensemble piece.

Recent Examples of ensemble from the Web

Handel’s music was crisply served by the period ensemble Les Musiciens du Prince-Monaco, stylishly helmed by Gianluca Capuano.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "At Salzburg Festival, operatic winds of change blow," 29 Aug. 2017
David Sims thinks the show’s summer Weekend Update specials have laid bare a troubling dependence on actors outside the core ensemble.

— the editors, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic’s Week in Culture," 25 Aug. 2017
Chloe Grace Moretz stars as China; Charlie Day, John Malkovich, Edie Falco, and Pamela Adlon help round out the ensemble.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Louis C.K. Has a Surprise New Movie Debuting Next Month," 15 Aug. 2017
He and his dance ensemble display their rhythmic mastery on the Ford Theatres stage for one night.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "The 5 Best Things to Do in L.A. This Weekend," 14 July 2017
In the orchestra pit, Cincinnati’s early music ensemble Catacoustic Consort (Annalisa Pappano, director) and members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will perform Monteverdi's music on period instruments.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "Ambitious fare planned for Cincinnati Opera's move back to Music Hall," 14 July 2017
Maybe there is something that can be learned by considering them not just as thought experiments, but in the context of the rules that govern what gets created in the whole great ensemble.

— The Economist, "If the universe was not “fine-tuned”Reflections on the fine-structure constant," 13 July 2017
Along with the Moranbong Band, the concert had North Korea's other top headliners — a similar pop ensemble called the Chongbong Band, the uniformed State Merited Chorus and the Wangjaesan Art Troupe.

— Bloomberg.com, "Kim Jong Un Attends Concert Feting Missile Launch," 11 July 2017
Among this month’s additions to Amazon’s catalog is this ensemble comedy about friendship, empowerment and, above all, getting revenge on boorish ex-husbands.

— joshua barone, New York Times, "What’s on TV Thursday: Joyce DiDonato and ‘First Wives Club’," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ensemble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.