symphony

noun

sym·​pho·​ny ˈsim(p)-fə-nē 

plural symphonies

1

: consonance of sounds

2

a

: ritornello sense 1

b

: sinfonia sense 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

Synonyms

• orchestration
• symmetry
• harmony
• proportion
• balance

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 on the Web

The underlying technology was supposed to be a sophisticated symphony of AI, sensors, visual data and RFID technologies to achieve that experience. —Brian Moore, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025

The symphony isn’t sharing details on which candidates are on the shortlist. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Mac, as his middle school music teacher was affectionately known, would wrangle tickets to the opera, and the symphony, and the art museum, and the Broadway musical, for young Efrain Solis and his classmates. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025

The conversation continues on the cabin’s rickety porch, witnessed only by a symphony of crickets, cicadas and the occasional freight train passing in the night. —Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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 entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing symphony

• symphony orchestra

Kids Definition

symphony

noun

sym·​pho·​ny ˈsim(p)-fə-nē 

plural symphonies

1

: harmonious arrangement (as of sound or color)

a symphony of sounds in the forest

2

: a usually long musical composition for a full orchestra

3

: symphony orchestra

Etymology

Middle English symphonie "pleasing arrangement of sounds," from early French symphonie (same meaning), derived from Greek syn- "together" and phōnē "voice, sound" — related to euphony, phonetic