symphony

noun sym·pho·ny \ ˈsim(p)-fə-nē \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: symphony in a Sentence

Definition of symphony

plural symphonies

1 : consonance of sounds

2 a : ritornello 1

b : sinfonia 1

c (1) : a usually long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra

(2) : a musical composition (as for organ) resembling such a symphony in complexity or variety

3 : consonance or harmony of color (as in a painting)

4 a : symphony orchestra

b : a symphony orchestra concert

5 : something that in its harmonious complexity or variety suggests a symphonic composition

a symphony of flavors

See symphony defined for English-language learners

See symphony defined for kids

Examples of symphony in a Sentence

the satisfying symphony of color in Renoir's canvases
a performance of a Bach concerto by the San Antonio Symphony

Recent Examples of symphony from the Web

Following the Ninth is a documentary film about the global impact of Beethoven's final symphony.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Edition," 10 July 2018
Raul Gomez conducts the orchestra in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, often credited with breaking the mold of the symphony, starting with a then-unconventional opening that emphasizes mood over melody.

— amy wang | the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "Arts picks: A new 'Cinderella' tale, Jackson Bottom Wetlands art show, more," 31 May 2018
This is no mere run-through of Beethoven's nine symphonies.

— zachary lewis, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra's 'Prometheus Project' gets off to fiery start: review," 11 May 2018
Also on the program, one of Haydn's final symphonies.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Gerstein Plays Brahms with the San Francisco Symphony," 18 Apr. 2018
Experience the energy and excitement of a rock concert, the power and emotion of a symphony and the stunning visuals of video games.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Theater, Shows & concerts," 26 Feb. 2018
Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes have played the press like a symphony for years.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Will Cristiano Ronaldo try to upstage the World Cup with transfer announcement?," 6 July 2018
Both the blessing and the challenge of the GLOW symphony is that there are a lot of them.

— jackie strause, The Hollywood Reporter, "'GLOW' Bosses on "Uncomfortable" Finale and (Likely) Season 3," 4 July 2018
Uncle Drew, the best of the bunch even at his advanced age, constantly harps about how a basketball game is a symphony, with each player playing a crucial part.

— bill goodykoontz, azcentral, "NBA star-filled 'Uncle Drew' is bad, but awfully hard to hate," 28 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of symphony

Middle English symphonie, from Middle French, from Latin symphonia, from Greek symphōnia, from symphōnos concordant in sound, from syn- + phōnē voice, sound — more at ban

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year