as in symphonies
a usually large group of musicians playing together
the orchestra will be performing a selection of Beethoven pieces tomorrow night
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Recent Examples of orchestras
Medardo was Manuel's teacher and one of the most respected musicians in the history of cumbia orchestras in Ecuador.
—
NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
As of 2014, Black musicians made up 2% of American orchestras.
—Matti Gellman, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Since its founding in 1987 by Michael Tilson Thomas, the fellowship has launched more than 1,300 alumni into leadership roles across orchestras worldwide.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Built in 1900, Symphony Hall is a National Historic Landmark where audiences can enjoy performances from two orchestras—the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops—along with other concerts and events on its calendar.
—Kori Perten, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Gucci Mane once transformed his Road to 1017 concert into a symphonic journey, while JAY-Z performed with full orchestras at Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Szymon Laks, conductor of one of several male orchestras at Auschwitz-Birkenau, vehemently refuted the notion that music was helpful to anyone in the camp.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
This is because Curaçao has a rich legacy of live performance, with such local genres as ritmo kombina and tumba luring locals into small clubs packed with full-on mini orchestras.
—Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Handcrafted from maple, spruce and ebony, this high-quality viola is suitable for orchestras and live performances.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
As of 2014, Black musicians made up 2% of American orchestras.
—Matti Gellman, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Since its founding in 1987 by Michael Tilson Thomas, the fellowship has launched more than 1,300 alumni into leadership roles across orchestras worldwide.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Built in 1900, Symphony Hall is a National Historic Landmark where audiences can enjoy performances from two orchestras—the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops—along with other concerts and events on its calendar.
—Kori Perten, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Gucci Mane once transformed his Road to 1017 concert into a symphonic journey, while JAY-Z performed with full orchestras at Carnegie Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Szymon Laks, conductor of one of several male orchestras at Auschwitz-Birkenau, vehemently refuted the notion that music was helpful to anyone in the camp.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
This is because Curaçao has a rich legacy of live performance, with such local genres as ritmo kombina and tumba luring locals into small clubs packed with full-on mini orchestras.
—Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Handcrafted from maple, spruce and ebony, this high-quality viola is suitable for orchestras and live performances.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orchestras
symphonies
Noun
-
There are dings from streetcars on Canal Street, chimes from slot machines at Caesars New Orleans Hotel & Casino, and celebratory symphonies from innumerable trumpets on countless stages and streetcorners.—
Matt Alderton,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Waking up to the dawn chorus of birds—one of the natural world’s greatest symphonies—is a joy like no other.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Orchestras.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orchestras. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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