quartet

noun

quar·​tet kwȯr-ˈtet 

variants or less commonly quartette

1

: a musical composition for four instruments or voices

2

: a group or set of four

especially : the performers of a quartet

Examples of quartet in a Sentence

He is a member of a jazz quartet.

a string quartet by Beethoven

The author wrote a quartet of novels about the same character.

Recent Examples on the Web

Once Artemis 2 launches, the Orion space capsule atop the rocket will carry the quartet on a trajectory around the moon and back on a mission that lasts about 10 days. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026

In an interview with Deadline, Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, addressed the quartet’s performance and the status of additional seasons already ordered for The Pitt, AKOTSK and Heated Rivalry while hinting that a Season 5 of Industry may not be far behind. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026

Backup edge rushers Derick Hall and Boye Mafe are close behind that quartet with 47 and 41 pressures, respectively. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026

The production will also feature a quartet of Broadway veterans returning to the stage. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian quartetto, from quarto fourth, from Latin quartus — more at quart

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quartet

• barbershop quartet
• string quartet

Rhymes for quartet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

quartet

noun

quar·​tet

variants also quartette

kwȯr-ˈtet 

1

a

: a musical composition for four instruments or voices

b

: the performers of a quartet

2

: a group or set of four