semitone

noun

Save Word

semi·tone | \ ˈse-mē-ˌtōn

, ˈse-ˌmī-, -mi- \

Definition of semitone

: the tone at a half step also : half step

Other Words from semitone Get Musical With the Definition of Semitone Example Sentences Learn More about semitone

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from semitone

semitonic \ ˌse-mē-ˈtä-nik

, ˌse-ˌmī- , -mi- \ adjective

semitonically \ ˌse-mē-ˈtä-ni-k(ə-)lē

, ˌse-ˌmī- , -mi- \ adverb

Get Musical With the Definition of Semitone

A semitone (sometimes called a half tone or a half step) is the distance from a white key to a neighboring black key on the piano keyboard—for example, from G to G-sharp or from E to E-flat. In an octave (from G to the next G above, for instance), there are twelve semitones. Semitones are the smallest intervals that are used intentionally in almost any of the music you'll normally hear. Two semitones equal a whole tone—the distance from G up to A or from E down to D, for example.

Examples of semitone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The score begins with horns and trombones blaring a semitone dissonance, like a motor horn in a nightmare city, and goes on from there. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, "The L.A. Philharmonic Revisits the Weimar Republic," 9 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'semitone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more