symphony

noun sym·pho·ny \ ˈsim(p)-fə-nē \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 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

In the 1820s, when Beethoven composed the symphony, monarchs were trying to roll back freedoms gained during preceding decades.

— jim higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "7 reasons why Beethoven's Ninth is a big deal; Milwaukee Symphony performs it this weekend," 11 June 2018
For me, George Lucas’ original holy trinity is a near perfect symphony of love and loss and intergalactic repression.

— peter rubin, WIRED, "We Really Need to Talk About That Solo: A Star Wars Story Twist," 28 May 2018
Media: MarieClaire Although the Mozart piece is on a more intimate scale, showcasing only four instruments — flute, violin, viola and cello — the Haydn symphony presents a full complement of strings and winds by a large orchestra.

— lawrence elizabeth knox, Houston Chronicle, "Ars Lyrica Houston celebrates female contributions to society," 16 May 2018
This is a hypnotically thrilling symphony of industry highlighting the skilled hands of auto workers building cars in Flint.

— Detroit Free Press, "Freep Film Festival 2018: All the Friday movies and special events," 13 Apr. 2018
Caponigro's photos, mostly in Polaroid's 4x5 format, adhered to the Zone System, a symphony of greys, whites, and blacks.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Gallery Features Polaroid Works," 11 Apr. 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.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "What real patriotism looks like," 4 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, the maestro was getting rave reviews, guest conducting symphonies in Pittsburgh, Denver, and Atlanta.

— kay lazar, BostonGlobe.com, "In the maestro’s thrall," 2 Mar. 2018
Image 2) 6 P.M. PIG OUT If cooking is an art form, then the mind-bending dishes that Jefferson Rueda coaxes from pig parts is a porcine symphony.

— seth kugel, New York Times, "36 Hours in São Paulo," 1 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year