absolute pitch

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noun Music.

the exact pitch of a tone in terms of vibrations per second.

Also called perfect pitch. the ability to sing or recognize the pitch of a tone by ear.

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Compare relative pitch.

Origin of absolute pitch

First recorded in 1860–65

Words nearby absolute pitch

absolute majority, absolute maximum, absolute minimum, absolute monarchy, absolute music, absolute pitch, absolute space, absolute temperature, absolute temperature scale, absolute threshold, absolute unit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use absolute pitch in a sentence

Prof. Ladd's statement that these contractions assist the ear in the judgment of absolute pitch has already been cited.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor
The sign placed at the beginning of a stave, determining the absolute pitch of the notes that follow it.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various
On the other hand, any one who can play a single phrase in absolute pitch has the first and great essential.
Violin Mastery|Frederick H. Martens
In a few individuals, and especially in early life, there may be an appreciation of absolute pitch.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2|Various

The key in which the System is taken fixes the absolute pitch of the series.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro

British Dictionary definitions for absolute pitch

absolute pitch

noun

Also called (not in technical usage): perfect pitch the ability to identify exactly the pitch of a note without comparing it to another

the exact pitch of a note determined by its number of vibrations per second

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012