classical music

Cultural  

1. A loose expression for European and American music of the more serious kind, as opposed to popular or folk music.

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Example Sentences

At a time when classical music largely avoided direct repetition, “Music for 18 Musicians” was reiterative throughout, buoyed by a steady pulse that allowed not a second of silence during its hour of glory.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

A piece of music by a Welsh composer highlighting the terror and tragedy of war has topped the world's largest annual classical music survey.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The lights are dim, and calming classical music plays from built-in speakers.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Inspired by artists like Natalia Lafourcade, singer-songwriter Selines’ guitar-based songs draw on the traditions of boleros, classical music and jazz, bringing a warm nostalgia and romance to her sound.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

The music of Mozart, Haydn, and the early works of Beethoven are in this style, which we call classical rather than neoclassical, because the original classical music of ancient Greece and Rome is lost.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• chamber music