quintet

noun

quin·​tet kwin-ˈtet 

1

: a musical composition or movement for five instruments or voices

2

: a group or set of five: such as

a

: the performers of a quintet

b

: a basketball team

Did you know?

A classical quintet is usually written for strings (usually two violins, two violas, and a cello) or woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn), but brass quintets (two trumpets, horn, trombone, and tuba) have also become popular in North America recently. In jazz, Miles Davis led two famous quintets. In pop music, the Miracles, the Temptations, and the Jackson 5 were immensely popular vocal quintets. In rock, one of the most common instrumental lineups has been a quintet consisting of two guitars, a bass, a keyboard, and drums; famous rock quintets have included the Grateful Dead and the Beach Boys.

Examples of quintet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Spice Girls only recorded and released new music as a quintet for a few years. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Milwaukee and Philadelphia are the only teams from that quintet currently occupying playoff spots. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

At Royal Portrush last year, Scottie was tied for sixth place after Day 1, one shot behind a quintet sharing the lead. — Justin Ray, New York Times, 16 July 2026

The quintet arrived at Citizens Bank Park, site of Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic, on Monday afternoon and spent about an hour fielding questions from reporters while stationed on the left-center field concourse. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

quintet from Italian quintetto, from quinto fifth, from Latin quintus; quintette from French, from Italian quintetto

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for quintet

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

Kids Definition

quintet

noun

quin·​tet kwin-ˈtet 

1

a

: a musical composition for five instruments or voices

b

: the performers of a quintet

2

: a group or set of five