harmony

noun

har·​mo·​ny ˈhär-mə-nē How to pronounce harmony (audio)
plural harmonies
Synonyms of harmonynext
1
a
: the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord
She taught him how to sing harmony.
b
: the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords
a song with complicated harmonies and rhythms
c
: the science of the structure, relation, and progression of chords
2
a
: pleasing arrangement of parts : congruence
a painting exhibiting harmony of color and line
b
: agreement, accord
The standard we sanction today is in harmony with the most basic tenets of our law.Heighs Implement Co. v. Missouri Hwy and Transp. Commn, 859 S.W.2d 681 (1993)
c
: internal calm : tranquility
a period of relative harmony
3
a
: an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative
b
: a systematic arrangement of parallel literary passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing agreement or harmony
4
archaic : tuneful sound : melody

Examples of harmony in a Sentence

a song with complicated harmonies and rhythms her face had an angelic harmony that fascinated the leading painters of her day
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.
Own your vibe respectfully to strengthen home harmony. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026 For Nabil, the core issue is the need for connected rails that let all participants in the prescription ecosystem move in harmony. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026 The theme for Milan-Cortina’s opening ceremony was armonia, or harmony. Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026 After decades of practice and competition, American skaters Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea were finally on Olympic ice Friday, floating and twisting in perfect harmony in the team pair short program. Brian Mann, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harmony

Word History

Etymology

Middle English armony, from Anglo-French armonie, from Latin harmonia, from Greek, joint, harmony, from harmos joint — more at arm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of harmony was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Harmony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmony. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

harmony

noun
har·​mo·​ny ˈhär-mə-nē How to pronounce harmony (audio)
plural harmonies
1
a
: the combination of musical notes played together as chords
b
: the structure of music with respect to the way it is written and to the way notes are grouped as chords
c
: the science of harmony
2
a
: pleasing or suitable arrangement of parts
b
: agreement sense 1b
lives in harmony with nature

More from Merriam-Webster on harmony

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster