symphony

noun

sym·​pho·​ny ˈsim(p)-fə-nē How to pronounce symphony (audio)
plural symphonies
Synonyms of symphonynext
1
: consonance of sounds
2
a
: ritornello sense 1
b
: sinfonia sense 1
c(1)
: a usually long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra
(2)
: a musical composition (as for organ) resembling such a symphony in complexity or variety
3
: consonance or harmony of color (as in a painting)
4
a
: symphony orchestra
b
: a symphony orchestra concert
5
: something that in its harmonious complexity or variety suggests a symphonic composition
a symphony of flavors

Synonyms

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Examples of symphony in a Sentence

the satisfying symphony of color in Renoir's canvases a performance of a Bach concerto by the San Antonio Symphony
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.
Unfortunately, a lot of those concerts mark the end of those symphonies’ 2024-25 season, and a few of them all happen on the same night. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025 Their impact was like hearing a symphony and then suddenly being able to see and play the instruments, Chesler said. — Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025 Beethoven’s symphonies have been recorded hundreds—if not thousands—of times, and they’ve been performed many more times than that, but every one of those performances and recordings refers to the same score. — Matthew Aucoin, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025 Once bell bottoms gave way to leg warmers, Ogilvy & Mather launched Ogilvy Orchestration in 1985, promising a symphony of synchronicity for overburdened clients. — Tim Maleeny, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for symphony

Word History

Etymology

Middle English symphonie, from Middle French, from Latin symphonia, from Greek symphōnia, from symphōnos concordant in sound, from syn- + phōnē voice, sound — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of symphony was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing symphony

Browse Nearby Words

symphonize
symphony
symphony band
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Symphony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symphony. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

symphony

noun
sym·​pho·​ny ˈsim(p)-fə-nē How to pronounce symphony (audio)
plural symphonies
1
: harmonious arrangement (as of sound or color)
a symphony of sounds in the forest
2
: a usually long musical composition for a full orchestra
3
: symphony orchestra
Etymology

Middle English symphonie "pleasing arrangement of sounds," from early French symphonie (same meaning), derived from Greek syn- "together" and phōnē "voice, sound" — related to euphony, phonetic

More from Merriam-Webster on symphony

Nglish: Translation of symphony for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about symphony

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