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broken chord

American  

noun

Music.
  1. arpeggio.


broken chord British  

noun

  1. music a chord played as an arpeggio

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then it grows small again, a lonely keyboard wandering a broken chord as Bryant’s voiceover admits that his body can only play for so long.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2025

“Giuseppe,” the mother said again, in a soft, broken chord of muted anguish.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

At the sound of her step, the man turned quickly, the music ending in a broken chord.

From Old Rose and Silver by Reed, Myrtle

As he listened, he lost his place; the music ended with a broken chord, and the musician sat silent in the dark.

From Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Alcott, Louisa May

Severed—were it severed only By an idle thought of strife, Such as time might knit together; Not the broken chord of life!

From Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers and Other Poems by Aytoun, W. E. (William Edmondstoune)

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