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concertmaster

American  
[kon-sert-mas-ter, -mah-ster] / ˈkɒn sərtˌmæs tər, -ˌmɑ stər /

noun

  1. the leader of the first violins in a symphony orchestra, who is usually also the assistant to the conductor.


concertmaster British  
/ ˈkɒnsətˌmɑːstə /

noun

  1. a US and Canadian word for leader

"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

Etymology

Origin of concertmaster

1875–80; translation of German Konzertmeister. See concert (noun), master

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.

See Examples For:

A Chicago-based violinist, Mulcahy serves as the concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, and has to regularly make the roughly 700-mile flight between Illinois and Kansas as a result.

From MarketWatch Nov. 8, 2025

Mehta led the AYS until 1998, when he handed the reins to Alexander Treger, concertmaster of the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times May 8, 2024

Except that Ms. Danailova, 48, is the first female concertmaster in the history of the Vienna Philharmonic.

From New York Times Dec. 23, 2023

When a violin/mandolin duel with associate concertmaster Bing Wang ensued, the violinist dazzled.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 24, 2023

At nineteen—not much older than me—he's already the concertmaster of the Hannover Orchestra.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper

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