middle C

American  

noun

Music.

1. the note indicated by the first leger line above the bass staff and the first below the treble staff.

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middle C British  

noun

1. music the note graphically represented on the first ledger line below the treble staff or the first ledger line above the bass staff and corresponding in pitch to an internationally standardized fundamental frequency of 261.63 hertz

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Etymology

Origin of middle C

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

For what it’s worth, though, they did find that the waves corresponded to the note of B-flat, about 57 octaves below the middle C note on a piano.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2025

In one passage shortly after Emile’s first entrance, Blanchard originally called for high G’s, which now have been lowered to B’s, one step below middle C.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 6, 2023

The concert began with violas standing in the back and intoning middle C as Avital and Azmeh gingerly began a joint improvisation.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 9, 2017

Marsha Genensky, according to Ms. Hellauer, “sounds like a folk singer, with a nasal twang, and I sound like a pop singer who would rather not be above middle C if she can help it.”

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2016

Helpfully, the middle C key had a full corner missing, a wedge about the size of my fingernail, which got me centered every time.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama