tenor

noun

ten·or | \ ˈte-nər

Definition of tenor

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the highest natural adult male singing voice also : a person having this voice

b : the voice part next to the lowest in a 4-part chorus

c : a member of a family of instruments having a range next lower than that of the alto

d : the melodic line usually forming the cantus firmus in medieval music

2a : the drift of something spoken or written : purport

b : an exact copy of a writing : transcript

c : the concept, object, or person meant in a metaphor

3 : a continuance in a course, movement, or activity

4 : habitual condition : character

tenor

adjective

Definition of tenor (Entry 2 of 2)

: relating to or having the range or part of a tenor

Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about tenor

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Choose the Right Synonym for tenor

Noun

tendency, trend, drift, tenor, current mean movement in a particular direction. tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force. a general tendency toward inflation trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course. the long-term trend of the stock market is upward drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces the drift of the population away from large cities or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse. got the drift of her argument tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course. the tenor of the times current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course. an encounter that changed the current of my life

Examples of tenor in a Sentence

Noun

He has a high, lilting tenor. She asked the tenors to sing the line again. The tenor of his remarks is clear.

Adjective

Verdi wrote some difficult tenor parts. She plays the tenor sax.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Observers of the soap opera-style Trump-Kim summit drama could be forgiven for thinking that a fragile courtship is underway, where the tenor of each side’s statements will determine whether the two can agree to sit down together. — Washington Post, "Analysis: Wide US-North Korea gulf over nuclear deal terms," 26 May 2018 Davis’ nephew Vince Wilburn held down the drum chair while saxophonist Antoine Roney dug into both tenor and soprano saxophones. — Sean J. O'connell, latimes.com, "At Playboy Jazz Fest, a 17-year-old wonder, an 83-year-old master and tributes to Hef and Miles Davis," 10 June 2018 Janice Chandler Eteme will be singing soprano, Rodrick Dixon tenor and Jonte Mayon alto. — Jarvis Deberry, NOLA.com, "'Crucifixion Resurrection' is composer Hannibal Lokumbe's response to Charleston church shooting," 8 Mar. 2018 Tell us very briefly what happened on Sunday that all Americans must know, given the tenor of this debate and discourse today. — Fox News, "Ingraham: The new American left: agents of hatred," 12 Sep. 2018 From a tenor saxophone’s trill to a train’s whistle, and from sitting on the street to swinging through the air, there was much to hear and experience for hundreds of families attending Franklin Park Fest. — Rachel K. Hindery, chicagotribune.com, "Music, food, rides and more: Franklin Park Fest tradition continues," 11 June 2018 And Chicago's titan of the tenor saxophone isn't done yet. — Bill Dahl, Chicago Reader, "Gene Barge blew his sax on some of the wildest R&B hits of the 60s," 5 June 2018 Those words, in a tweet posted Sunday by Ty Thompson, the principal of the Parkland school, captured the bittersweet tenor, both the joy and the sorrow, of Sunday afternoon’s Class of 2018 graduation ceremony at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. — Susannah Bryan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Stoneman Douglas graduation: 'Our struggle is part of our story. It doesn't define us. Let it motivate us.'," 4 June 2018 The overall tenor appears to be more serious this year, compared with past editions, dealers said. — Kelly Crow, WSJ, "At Miami’s Art Fairs, a Somber Mood Sets In," 1 Dec. 2018

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