music

noun

mu·​sic ˈmyü-zik 

often attributive

1

a

: 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

5

a

: 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

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 on the Web

Texans who want to celebrate can find everything from historic reenactments to chili cook-offs and live music. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2026

The Rare Bird rooftop deck, Trade Room, open lobby bar, and Hidden Bar are all Gatsby-style gathering places for guests and locals to listen to live music and sip on sophisticated tipples. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026

Our theme music is from Kenneth Michael Regan, and our producer is Alan Haberchak. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2026

Some of the most accomplished producers and engineers in modern music — with 31 collective Grammy Awards and credits on more than 7,000 recordings — have come together to offer candid insights on the craft of engineering music’s most storied recordings with this new discussion series. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing music

• alternative music
• background music
• chamber music
• chin music
• concrete music
• country music
• elevator music
• face the music
• folk music
• house music
• incidental music
• make music
• mood music
• music box
• music drama
• music hall
• music of the spheres
• music stand
• music therapy
• music to someone's ears
• music video
• program music
• rap music
• set to music
• sheet music
• soul music
• trap music
• world music

Kids Definition

music

noun

mu·​sic ˈmyü-zik 

1

a

: the art of producing pleasing or expressive combinations of tones especially with melody, rhythm, and usually harmony

b

: a musical composition set down on paper

bring your music

2

a

: sounds that have rhythm, harmony, and melody

b

: an agreeable sound

the music of a brook

Etymology

Middle English musik "music," from early French musike (same meaning), from Latin musica (same meaning), from Greek mousikē "any art under the control or guidance of the Muses," derived from Mousa "Muse" — related to museum see Word History at museum