symphony orchestra

noun

Synonyms of symphony orchestranext
: a large orchestra of winds, strings, and percussion that plays symphonic works

Examples of symphony orchestra in a Sentence

She's a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. plays oboe in the local symphony orchestra
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After its fire-bombing, Tokyo founded a bevy of symphony orchestras as a phenomenal experiment in mass antidepression. Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 For the last two years, Brandon has performed the saxophone in our jazz ensembles while learning bassoon to perform in our wind ensemble and symphony orchestra. Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026 She’s made concert appearances at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, on four PBS specials, and with over 200 symphony orchestras worldwide. Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026 So far as anyone at Opera America and the League of American Orchestras could determine, this may have been the first time an American symphony orchestra, as opposed to an opera company, had presented the entire Ring as a cycle. Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for symphony orchestra

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of symphony orchestra was circa 1881

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Cite this Entry

“Symphony orchestra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symphony%20orchestra. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

symphony orchestra

noun
: a large orchestra of wind, string, and percussion instruments that plays symphonic works
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