concert

American  

[kon-surt, -sert, kuhn-surt] / ˈkɒn sɜrt, -sərt, kənˈsɜrt /

noun

1. a public musical performance in which a number of singers or instrumentalists, or both, participate.

2. a public performance, usually by an individual singer, instrumentalist, or the like; recital.

   The violinist has given concerts all over the world.

3. agreement of two or more individuals in a design or plan; combined action; accord or harmony.

   His plan was greeted with a concert of abuse.

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adjective

1. designed or intended for concerts.

   concert hall.

2. performed at concerts.

   concert music.

3. performing or capable of performing at concerts.

   a concert pianist.

verb (used with object)

1. to contrive or arrange by agreement.

   They were able to concert a settlement of their differences.

2. to plan; devise.

   A program of action was concerted at the meeting.

verb (used without object)

1. to plan or act together.

idioms

1. in concert, together; jointly.

   to act in concert.

concert British  

noun

1. 1. a performance of music by players or singers that does not involve theatrical staging Compare recital

   2. ( as modifier )

      a concert version of an opera

2. agreement in design, plan, or action

3. 1. acting in a co-ordinated fashion with a common purpose

   2. (of musicians, esp rock musicians) performing live

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verb

1. to arrange or contrive (a plan) by mutual agreement

Other Word Forms

• postconcert adjective

Etymology

Origin of concert

1595–1605; (noun) < French < Italian concerto; concerto; (v.) < French concerter < Italian concertare to organize, arrange by mutual agreement, perhaps parasynthetically from con with + certo certain; Latin concertāre ( concertation ) is remote in sense

Explanation

A concert is a performance by musicians or singers for an audience. If you're in the glee club, you know about singing in concerts, and maybe you've seen your favorite bands in concert, too. A concert usually doesn't involve theatrical staging. You can have a concert version of an opera, but that means the singers stand there and sing without sets or props, and without much acting or moving around. Less commonly, concert is a verb (accent on the second syllable), meaning to agree with others on something. That meaning shows up in the phrase in concert — your objections will carry more weight if you act in concert with your neighbors.

Example Sentences

It alleged that Live Nation and Ticketmaster monopolized various aspects of the live music industry, such as concert promotion, venue operations, artist management and ticketing services.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

West wrote on X that it was his “sole decision” to postpone the concert “until further notice.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

West was due to play Wireless in London and the Marseille concert as part of a European tour scheduled for this summer.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

This was my second time playing at Coachella with Party in My Living Room, a house party concert series founded by Inglewood native Yannick “Thurz” Koffi in 2015.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

My heart stutters, jumps around in concert with my butterflies, but I’m pretty sure they’re the good kind.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• gig
• musical
• recital
• show