symphony

[ sim-fuh-nee ]

noun

, plural sym·pho·nies.

1. Music.
   1. an elaborate instrumental composition in three or more movements, similar in form to a sonata but written for an orchestra and usually of far grander proportions and more varied elements.
   2. an instrumental passage occurring in a vocal composition, or between vocal movements in a composition.
   3. an instrumental piece, often in several movements, forming the overture to an opera or the like.
2. symphony orchestra.
3. a concert performed by a symphony orchestra.
4. anything characterized by a harmonious combination of elements, especially an effective combination of colors.
5. harmony of sounds.
6. Archaic. agreement; concord.

symphony

/ sɪmˈfɒnɪk; ˈsɪmfənɪ /

noun

1. an extended large-scale orchestral composition, usually with several movements, at least one of which is in sonata form. The classical form of the symphony was fixed by Haydn and Mozart, but the innovations of subsequent composers have freed it entirely from classical constraints. It continues to be a vehicle for serious, large-scale orchestral music
2. a piece of instrumental music in up to three very short movements, used as an overture to or interlude in a baroque opera
3. any purely orchestral movement in a vocal work, such as a cantata or oratorio
4. short for symphony orchestra
5. in musical theory, esp of classical Greece
   1. another word for consonance Compare diaphony
   2. the interval of unison
6. anything distinguished by a harmonious composition

   the picture was a symphony of green

7. archaic.
   harmony in general; concord

symphony

1. An extended musical composition for orchestra in several movements , typically four. Among the composers especially known for their symphonies are Ludwig van Beethoven , Johannes Brahms , Franz Josef Haydn , Gustav Mahler , and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart .

Derived Forms

• symphonic, adjective
• symˈphonically, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·sympho·ny noun plural presymphonies

Word History and Origins

Origin of symphony¹

1250–1300; Middle English symfonye < Old French symphonie < Latin symphōnia concert < Greek symphōnía harmony. See sym-, -phony

Word History and Origins

Origin of symphony¹

C13: from Old French symphonie, from Latin symphōnia concord, concert, from Greek sumphōnia, from syn- + phōnē sound

Example Sentences

If Japanese whisky is like a symphony, then I am a contented listener.

From The Daily Beast

And the Marc show where the only song was Bittersweet Symphony.

From The Daily Beast

It runs as a polyphonic symphony compared to the simple percussion section of the heart or the synchronized cellos of the liver.

From The Daily Beast

But seriously, what do you get when mix the Seattle Symphony with Sir Mix-A-Lot?

From The Daily Beast

Members of the San Francisco Symphony orchestra make $160,000 a year.

From The Daily Beast

He directed the Ninth Symphony, and played twice himself with orchestral accompaniments.

From Project Gutenberg

Then came two pieces by the orchestra; next, my three solos in a row, and a symphony of Haydn closed the programme.

From Project Gutenberg

One year he was carried away by Beethovens Eighth Symphony, the next he pronounced it very nice, but nothing more.

From Project Gutenberg

In consequence of his illness, Tchaikovsky was unable to finish the symphony during the summer.

From Project Gutenberg

His symphony was severely criticised, rejected, and pronounced unworthy of performance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• concert
• music
• orchestra