string quartet

noun

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of string quartet

1 : a composition for string quartet

2 : a quartet of performers on stringed instruments usually including a first and second violin, a viola, and a cello

Recent Examples of string quartet from the Web

Today, Ondrasik scratches his orchestral itch by occasionally touring with a string quartet.

— chris varias, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Pops gets Five for Fighting," 6 Apr. 2018
The event is set to include a tour of the famed ship and a string quartet, like in the 1997 blockbuster.

— ryan faughnder, latimes.com, "Alamo Drafthouse will hold 'Titanic' event at the Queen Mary in a push to promote its planned Los Angeles theater," 6 Apr. 2018
He's explored myriad instrumental combinations, but he's returned many times to the string quartet.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Brown Girls writer Fatimah Asghar on Janelle Monae’s utopia for queer women of color," 5 Apr. 2018
The highlight of this chaos was a Rose Garden scene, complete with a string quartet and a band which Trump insisted on having thanks to his evident belief that the Republican bill, which had passed the House, meant that victory was at hand.

— dorothy rabinowitz, WSJ, "‘Trump’s Takeover’ Review: Conflicts and Chaos," 5 Apr. 2018
But the term almost always refers to the union of a piano with a traditional string quartet —two violins, viola and cello.

— punch shaw, star-telegram, "Chamber Music Society marks its 30th with a first: a commissioned work | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 2 Apr. 2018
In a concert for the entire family, NewEar will explore animal sounds and themes through wind instruments and a string quartet during its performance at the zoo.

— dan kelly, kansascity, "KC events March 29-April 4: Royals home opener, Easter events, Sporting KC | The Kansas City Star," 27 Mar. 2018
Elena Ruehr New music Anyone who still believes that beauty and lyricism are frowned upon, or even undervalued, in contemporary music needs to make time right away for the string quartets of the American composer Elena Ruehr.

— joshua kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, "CD review: Elena Ruehr, String Quartets," 21 Mar. 2018
Adding to the fascinating interaction between screen and stage, director Sam Green sat alongside the American string quartet, giving narration in the raconteur style of the late Spalding Gray.

— allen salkin, Newsweek, "11 Films From Sundance You'll Want to See (or at Least Pretend You Saw) in 2018," 8 Feb. 2018

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

First Known Use of string quartet

1875

Learn More about string quartet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about string quartet

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up string quartet? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

string quartet

Definition of string quartet

Recent Examples of string quartet from the Web

First Known Use of string quartet

Learn More about string quartet

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

Syn City

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

string quartet

Definition of string quartet

Recent Examples of string quartet from the Web

First Known Use of string quartet

Learn More about string quartet

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes