symphony

noun sym·pho·ny \ ˈsim(p)-fə-nē \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

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

Scherzer is brute force; Strasburg is a symphony; Syndergaard is overpowering velocity; deGrom is quiet excellence.

— si.com staff, SI.com, "Nine Innings: Inside Ohtani's Electric Debut, Masahiro Tanaka's Resurgence and Ranking the Most Surprising Starts to 2018," 9 Apr. 2018
By Carrie Arnold PUBLISHED April 3, 2018 In the never-ending symphony of the sea, there's a standout among the percussive pings of bottlenose dolphins and the plaintive calls of humpback whales.

— National Geographic, "These Mysterious Whales Are the Jazz Musicians Of the Sea," 3 Apr. 2018
Joining the symphony will be the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, pianist Eldar Nebolsin and vocalist Joe Rogers.

— dan kelly, kansascity, "April is for arts in KC: from Kevin Hart to KC Ballet’s ‘Diamonds’ to ‘Vietgone’ | The Kansas City Star," 2 Apr. 2018
Everything — every element in every ingredient — works like a symphony to preserve vitality.

— loren savini, Allure, "5 Leading Founders of Natural Skin-Care Brands Told Us What "Natural" Means to Them," 30 Mar. 2018
The symphony is less than $600,000 from its goal and has already raised well over $6 million.

— annie millerbernd, San Antonio Express-News, "Significant Statistics: LaHood's loss, diabetic amputations and the succeeding symphony," 26 Mar. 2018
Yet here were the Wolverines', five days later, creating a symphony of movement inside the Staples Center.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan basketball's success in film room pacing NCAA tournament run," 23 Mar. 2018
Her baking skills evolved to the Kat Walk Cake, a layer cake encased in Kit Kat bars, ringed in chocolate piping, and topped with a rainbow symphony of M&Ms.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Cake Plus Candy Makes 'Sweet Equations'," 21 Mar. 2018
All of this said, perhaps the distance of the decades can afford us at least the option of responding to this symphony’s problematic overlay more contextually.

— jeremy eichler, BostonGlobe.com, "Bernstein centenary returns ‘Kaddish’ to Symphony Hall," 16 Mar. 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

See Words from the same year