unison

noun uni·son \ ˈyü-nə-sən , -nə-zən \

Updated on: 28 Feb 2018

Definition of unison

1 a : identity in musical pitch; specifically : the interval of a perfect prime

b : the state of being so tuned or sounded

c : the writing, playing, or singing of parts in a musical passage at the same pitch or in octaves

2 : a harmonious agreement or union : concord

—

unison

adjective

— in unison

1 : in perfect agreement : so as to harmonize exactly

a class reciting in unison

2 : at the same time : simultaneously

See unison defined for English-language learners

See unison defined for kids

Examples of unison in a Sentence

the members of the committee are in unison on this point

Recent Examples of unison from the Web

Yet, even as wins have failed to come, players have been in virtual unison that life has become better in the days since several left their final meeting with Andersen in tears.

— danny moran, OregonLive.com, "A different vibe: Oregon State fighting for Cory Hall, normalcy amid surreal season," 3 Nov. 2017
As the first quarter comes to a close, Hawkeye fans turn in unison to wave and smile at the patients at the university's children's hospital, reports CBS News correspondent Dana Jacobson.

— CBS News, "Iowa football's heartwarming tradition a bright spot for children's hospital patients," 2 Nov. 2017
The translation was, literally, faithful: God himself had moved their hands in unison, only one possible translation for his Word.

— wyatt mason, New York Times, "The First Woman to Translate the ‘Odyssey’ Into English," 2 Nov. 2017
Time Detroit Lions owner Martha Ford and her three daughters stood with Lions players for the singing of the national anthem as part of a broad show of unison before Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

— dave birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions players lock arms, some take knee during national anthem," 24 Sep. 2017
Fox attacks on his own, crouching, extending his arms and that 6-6 wingspan, moving his feet in unison with his opponent’s.

— ailene voisin, sacbee, "Meet De’Aaron Fox, new face of the Kings: An ‘old soul’ with taste for Beethoven," 22 Sep. 2017
For five minutes and 55 seconds, 50 independent stewards watched the dancers, making sure everyone moved in unison and kept dancing the entire time.

— priscella vega, Burbank Leader, "John Muir Middle School unofficially sets world record for largest Japanese fan dance," 22 Sep. 2017
Today, America’s major physician organizations are recommending something, strongly and in unison: The latest health-care bill, known as Graham-Cassidy, would do harm to the country and should be defeated.

— james hamblin, The Atlantic, "Doctors: No," 21 Sep. 2017
Smartphone alerts beeped in unison and television stations suddenly cut to an ominous black screen with bold, white script warning of a possible missile attack.

— charlie campbell / tokyo, Time, "'This Is All We Can Do': How the Japanese Are Preparing for a North Korean Nuclear Attack," 20 Sep. 2017

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

Did You Know?

This word usually appears in the phrase "in unison", which means "together, at the same time" or "at the same musical pitch". So an excited crowd responding to a speaker may shout in unison, and a group of demonstrators may chant in unison. The old church music called Gregorian chant was written to be sung in unison, with no harmonizing voices, and kindergarten kids always sing in unison (at least when they can all find the same pitch). In a similar way, an aerobics class moves in unison following the instructor, and a group or even a whole town may work in unison when everyone agrees on a common goal.

Origin and Etymology of unison

Middle English unisoun, from Middle French unisson, from Medieval Latin unisonus having the same sound, from Latin uni- + sonus sound — more at ¹sound

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year