music

noun, often attributive

mu·sic | \ ˈmyü-zik

Definition of music

1a : 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 everybody— Eric 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

5a : musical quality the music of verse the music of lovingly orchestrated words — Saturday Review

b : an agreeable sound : euphony her voice was music to my ears the music of a nightingale

More Example Sentences Phrases Containing music Learn More About music

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web With loud music blaring, the last of the Crusaders unloaded as the national anthem was being played. — Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 5 May 2022 Inspired by, among other things, ’90s alt-rock radio heavyweights like Nirvana and No Doubt and turn-of-the-millennium punk acts like My Chemical Romance and Pierce the Veil, Pinkshift’s music could easily be described as pop punk. — Washington Post, 4 May 2022 Little Rock’s Topgolf location would feature food and drink, games, large screen TVs, private event spaces and music in outdoor hitting bays, the release states. — Maggie Mcneary, Arkansas Online, 4 May 2022 Maxie's, 6732 W. Fairfield Ave., hosts its 15th annual Derby Day party May 7, starting at 2 p.m., with food, drinks and outdoor music. — Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 May 2022 The finalists were selected by 1,000-plus artists, historians and other music professionals, combined with voting by the public. — Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, 4 May 2022 Luis Javier Corrales grew up listening to the Divo de Juárez's music in Havana, Cuba. — Nadia Cantú, The Arizona Republic, 4 May 2022 This was music to my ears, as my skin is on the sensitive side and can easily be agitated. — Talia Gutierrez, Allure, 4 May 2022 Supermoon earphones are the latest addition to the Campfire’s line-up of custom-fit in-ear monitors designed for musicians, audio professionals, and discerning music lovers. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 4 May 2022 See More

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.

Buying Guide

Our Reviews team has selected the best headphones.

Learn More About music

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near music

mushy chick

music

musica falsa

Statistics for music

Last Updated

7 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Music.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/music. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for music

music

noun

mu·sic | \ ˈmyü-zik

Kids Definition of music

1 : an arrangement of sounds having melody, rhythm, and usually harmony classical music

2 : the art of producing pleasing or expressive combinations of tones especially with melody, rhythm, and usually harmony I want to study music in college.

3 : a musical composition set down on paper Bring your music.

4 : a pleasing sound Your voice is music to my ears.