melisma

play

noun me·lis·ma \ mi-ˈliz-mə \

Definition of melisma

plural melismata play \-mə-tə\

1 :a group of notes or tones sung on one syllable in plainsong

2 :melodic embellishment

3 :cadenza

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melismatic

play \ˌme-ləz-ˈma-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of melisma from the Web

Yet the girls of 5H sell their tale of unsaid infatuation with dedicated melismas and gooey production. --

— billboard staff, Billboard, "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks," 10 July 2017
Her music is all big emotions and dramatic melismas.

— leeann duggan, Allure, "Céline Dion Poses Nude for Vogue," 5 July 2017
Still, the music — high-end theatrical pop adorned with melisma and other Silk Road accents — rewards the ear and is well orchestrated by the composer for a small combo including the lutelike Afghan rubab.

— jesse green, New York Times, "Review: Tackling a Major Taboo in ‘The Boy Who Danced on Air’," 25 May 2017
Andra Day and Ellie Goulding sang ballads with escalating melismas; James Bay and Tori Kelly, two best new artist nominees, traded their songs on acoustic guitars, ramping up the vibrato.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "The Best and Worst of the Grammys," 16 Feb. 2016

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