Beethoven

American  

[bey-toh-vuhn, beyt-hoh-fuhn] / ˈbeɪ toʊ vən, ˈbeɪt hoʊ fən /

noun

1. Ludwig van 1770–1827, German composer.

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Beethoven British  

/ ˈbeɪtˌhəʊvən /

noun

1. Ludwig van (ˈluːtvɪç fan). 1770–1827, German composer, who greatly extended the form and scope of symphonic and chamber music, bridging the classical and romantic traditions. His works include nine symphonies, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, five piano concertos, a violin concerto, two masses, the opera Fidelio (1805), and choral music

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Other Word Forms

• Beethovenian
  adjective
• Beethovian
  adjective

Example Sentences

Many fans have moved on as well, some perhaps deciding there’s more musical transcendence and power in one Beethoven sonata than in the entire rock catalog.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

As a young kid, MTT played Beethoven piano sonatas so impressively that he wowed his babysitter, an architecture student at USC named Frank Owen Goldberg, who needed extra cash.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

A Pathé newsreel, filmed when she was five years old, noted that the toddler had "surprised musical critics by her playing of Beethoven".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Few critics care whether it is more enjoyable for the pianist to play Chopin or Beethoven.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

While Jessie took it all in, Isa began to play a tender Beethoven concerto, her violin ringing through the basement.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser