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music

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

Definition of music

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

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Examples of music in a Sentence

  1. This is one of my favorite pieces of music.

  2. performing music in front of an audience

  3. dancing to the music of a big band

  4. They are writing music for a new album.

  5. a song with music by George Gershwin and words by Ira Gershwin

  6. He is learning to read music.

  7. She studied music in college.

Recent Examples of music from the Web

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

Other Music Terms

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

Phrases Related to MUSIC

Related Phrases

MUSIC Defined for English Language Learners

music

play
noun

Definition of music for English Language Learners

  • : sounds that are sung by voices or played on musical instruments

  • : written or printed symbols showing how music should be played or sung

  • : the art or skill of creating or performing music

MUSIC Defined for Kids

music

play
noun mu·sic \ ˈmyü-zik \

Definition of music for Students

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.

Learn More about music

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of music Nglish: Translation of music for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of music for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about music

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Examples: music in a Sentence