music

noun, often attributive mu·sic \ ˈmyü-zik \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

1 a : 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

b : vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony

choral music

piano music

recorded music

2 a : an agreeable sound : euphony

her voice was music to my ears

the music of a nightingale

b : musical quality

the music of verse

the music of lovingly orchestrated words
—Saturday Review

3 : a musical accompaniment

a play set to music

4 : the score (see ¹score 6a) of a musical composition set down on paper

leafing through the music

5 : a distinctive type or category of music

there is a music for everybody
—Eric Salzman

rock music

jazz music

classical music

See music defined for English-language learners

See music defined for kids

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 of music from the Web

Bartschi wrote the music, lyrics and storyline, which is filled with pleasing twists and turns.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Entertaining Sherlock Holmes musical doesn't always hit the right emotional notes," 9 June 2018
Consider Detroit's Eastern Market and their innovative night market from 5-10 p.m. the third Thursday of every week from June to Sept. Their market sheds will feature food, drinks, music, art and shopping.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Dig in! Farmers market season is here," 9 June 2018
The Compton native is among the most decorated people in modern music, his mantle stacked with Grammys, Billboard 200 No.

— drew lazor, Philly.com, "Kendrick Lamar looms large at his show at BB&T Pavilion," 9 June 2018
Enjoy local arts and food vendors, live music, bed races, a junior rodeo, a scavenger hunt, a free reindeer petting zoo and more at this three-day celebration.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Coming up: Colony Days, a summer burlesque show and Alyeska Bike Park opens," 8 June 2018
Or anytime that my taste(s) in music interfere with my ability to enjoy Earth.

— michael andor brodeur, BostonGlobe.com, "Spotify’s Discover playlist feels like a trusted friend, but can you trust it?," 8 June 2018
In a campaign video flush with smiles and upbeat music, two Democrats running in the primary for governor gush about each other's credentials – then encourage voters to support them both.

— david sharp, The Christian Science Monitor, "New ranked voting system to be used in Maine primaries," 8 June 2018
Few performers make the transition from YouTube fame to real-world fame, and most who do are in music: Karmin, Alessia Cara, Bo Burnham, the Weekend, Biebs.

— lexi pandell, WIRED, "Meet Germán Garmendia, the Aggressively Normal YouTube Superstar Who Wants It All," 8 June 2018
With $750, his saxophone and dreams of a career in music, David Wesley moved from Oregon to Atlanta within months of graduating high school.

— alexis stevens, ajc, "Forgiveness: Mother urges leniency for son’s killer," 8 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of music

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year