harmony

noun har·mo·ny \ ˈhär-mə-nē \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: harmony in a Sentence

Definition of harmony

plural harmonies

1 archaic : tuneful sound : melody

2 a : the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord

She taught him how to sing harmony.

b : the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords

a song with complicated harmonies and rhythms

c : the science of the structure, relation, and progression of chords

3 a : pleasing arrangement of parts : congruence

a painting exhibiting harmony of color and line

b : agreement, accord

when a woman's desires are in harmony with those of her husband

c : internal calm : tranquility

a period of relative harmony

4 a : an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative

b : a systematic arrangement of parallel literary passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing agreement or harmony

See harmony defined for English-language learners

See harmony defined for kids

Examples of harmony in a Sentence

a song with complicated harmonies and rhythms
her face had an angelic harmony that fascinated the leading painters of her day

Recent Examples of harmony from the Web

South Florida Jubilee Chorus Ladies can learn how to sing a-cappella, four-part harmony and perform for private and community events with this award-winning chorus.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Plantation and Sunrise area events, June 6-16," 5 June 2018
Full of barbershop quartet harmonies and 1950s pop hits, this comedic musical revue includes an optional pre-show meal.

— emily sorensen, Pomerado News, "Welk reopens with Beatles and 'Forever Plaid'," 26 May 2018
As always, his harmonies are a great marvel, and these pieces tend to have an exuberant bounce — carried off with the bassist Reuben Rogers and the drummer Eric Harland — somewhere between swing rhythm, calypso and Javanese propulsion.

— New York Times, "The Playlist: Christina Aguilera’s Bizarre Puzzle, and 13 More New Songs," 4 May 2018
The Wings will teach students easy-to-learn moving meditations that promote harmony and wellness through relaxing, circular breath and movement patterns.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Local Marines receive scholarships from Kiwanis ... community events," 30 Apr. 2018
Huntsville duo, The Retrovales will return for their second year at Panoply, this year offering their harmonies as the opening act for Saturday night's headlining performance, Steven Page.

— bob gathany, AL.com, "Panoply Arts & Music Festival starts Friday," 26 Apr. 2018
The group is taking their holiday harmonies on the road with a stop at the Louisville Palace on Dec 6.

— The Courier-Journal, "Win '98 Degrees at Christmas' Tickets," 16 Nov. 2017
Under the name Cut Worms, Max Clarke conjures deeply nostalgic, comforting sounds and bygone eras, evoking the sweet close-harmony singing of the Everly Brothers and the irresistible Merseybeat hooks of early Beatles.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Chicago native Max Clarke uncoils the darkness in his cheerful melodies on the debut full-length by Cut Worms," 17 May 2018
With original tunes and technical prowess, this trio from Boston is mesmerizing audiences with guitar, upright bass, percussion, and three-part harmony.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Valley Edition," 15 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of harmony

Middle English armony, from Anglo-French armonie, from Latin harmonia, from Greek, joint, harmony, from harmos joint — more at arm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

harmony Synonyms

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

HARMONY Defined for English Language Learners

harmony

noun

Definition of harmony for English Language Learners

: the combination of different musical notes played or sung at the same time to produce a pleasing sound
: a pleasing combination or arrangement of different things