ternary form

noun

: a three-part musical form in which the first and third parts are essentially identical and the middle part consists of contrasting material in a different key

called also song form, three-part form

compare binary form, rounded binary form

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ternary form was in 1875

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Dictionary Entries Near ternary form

Cite this Entry

“Ternary form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ternary%20form. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

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