polyphonic

adjective

poly·phon·ic ˌpä-lē-ˈfä-nik

variants or polyphonous

pə-ˈli-fə-nəs

Synonyms of polyphonic next

: of, relating to, or marked by polyphony

: being a polyphone

polyphonically

ˌpä-lē-ˈfä-ni-k(ə-)lē

adverb

or polyphonously

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Since poly- means "many", polyphonic music has "many voices". In polyphony, each part has its own melody, and they weave together in a web that may become very dense; a famous piece by Thomas Tallis, composed around 1570, has 40 separate voice parts. Polyphony reached its height during the 16th century with Italian madrigals and the sacred music of such composers as Tallis, Palestrina, and Byrd. Usually when we speak of polyphony we're talking about music of Bach's time and earlier; but the principles remain the same today, and songwriters such as the Beatles have sometimes used polyphony as well.

Examples of polyphonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dazzling and tightly wound, polyphonic and opinionated, the novel was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. —

Emma Alpern, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2024 According to Francisco, the composers represented no less than 30 print collections of solo songs, cantatas, motets, polyphonic works, settings for psalms and masses, a magnificat, a vespers service, a dozen sonatas, and scores for nine operas and other staged works. —

Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024 The lists include carnivals, alphabets, and equestrian games; traditions of boatbuilding and polyphonic song; systems of irrigation, navigation, divination, and conflict remediation; and at least one constitution—the Manden Charter, proclaimed eight centuries ago in present-day Mali. —

Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 Joined by triumphant bursts of strings and winds, John Thiessen’s bracing trumpet (celebrating the slaying of the enemies) brought the oratorio to an exuberant finish, the six singers aglow in a glorious polyphonic weave. —

Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for polyphonic

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polyphonic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.