concert

American  

[kon-surt, -sert, kuhn-surt] / ˈkɒn sɜrt, -sərt, kənˈsɜrt /

noun

1. a public musical performance in which a number of singers or instrumentalists, or both, participate.

2. a public performance, usually by an individual singer, instrumentalist, or the like; recital.

   The violinist has given concerts all over the world.

3. agreement of two or more individuals in a design or plan; combined action; accord or harmony.

   His plan was greeted with a concert of abuse.

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adjective

1. designed or intended for concerts.

   concert hall.

2. performed at concerts.

   concert music.

3. performing or capable of performing at concerts.

   a concert pianist.

verb (used with object)

1. to contrive or arrange by agreement.

   They were able to concert a settlement of their differences.

2. to plan; devise.

   A program of action was concerted at the meeting.

verb (used without object)

1. to plan or act together.

idioms

1. in concert, together; jointly.

   to act in concert.

concert British  

noun

1. 1. a performance of music by players or singers that does not involve theatrical staging Compare recital

   2. ( as modifier )

      a concert version of an opera

2. agreement in design, plan, or action

3. 1. acting in a co-ordinated fashion with a common purpose

   2. (of musicians, esp rock musicians) performing live

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verb

1. to arrange or contrive (a plan) by mutual agreement

Other Word Forms

• postconcert
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of concert

1595–1605; (noun) < French < Italian concerto; see concerto; (v.) < French concerter < Italian concertare to organize, arrange by mutual agreement, perhaps parasynthetically from con with + certo certain; Latin concertāre ( see concertation) is remote in sense

Explanation

A concert is a performance by musicians or singers for an audience. If you're in the glee club, you know about singing in concerts, and maybe you've seen your favorite bands in concert, too. A concert usually doesn't involve theatrical staging. You can have a concert version of an opera, but that means the singers stand there and sing without sets or props, and without much acting or moving around. Less commonly, concert is a verb (accent on the second syllable), meaning to agree with others on something. That meaning shows up in the phrase in concert — your objections will carry more weight if you act in concert with your neighbors.

Example Sentences

Concert demand has boomed since the economy reopened following pandemic-era closures, sending Live Nation’s stock on a tear.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Both Anita and Hannah were able to go to the gig at the city's Royal Concert Hall along with their partners, before being given backstage passes and meeting the singer.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Broad had a hand in a Renzo Piano building at LACMA, the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall and his own museum, by Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

And that also includes serving as Paul McCartney‘s musical director for 2001’s “The Concert for New York City” – and even producing for John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

On Monday, our class used up practically our whole lunch hour practicing for our Holiday Concert.

From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• gig
• musical
• recital
• show