music

American  

[myoo-zik] / ˈmyu zɪk /

noun

1. an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.

2. the tones or sounds employed, occurring in single line (melody) or multiple lines (harmony), and sounded or to be sounded by one or more voices or instruments, or both.

3. musical work or compositions for singing or playing.

4. the written or printed score of a musical composition.

5. such scores collectively.

6. any sweet, pleasing, or harmonious sounds or sound.

   the music of the waves.

7. appreciation of or responsiveness to musical sounds or harmonies.

   Music was in his very soul.

8. Fox Hunting. the cry of the hounds.

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idioms

1. face the music, to meet, take, or accept the consequences of one's mistakes, actions, etc..

   He's squandered his money and now he's got to face the music.

music British  

/ ˈmjuːzɪk /

noun

1. an art form consisting of sequences of sounds in time, esp tones of definite pitch organized melodically, harmonically, rhythmically and according to tone colour

2. such an art form characteristic of a particular people, culture, or tradition

   Indian music

   rock music

   baroque music

3. the sounds so produced, esp by singing or musical instruments

4. written or printed music, such as a score or set of parts

5. any sequence of sounds perceived as pleasing or harmonious

6. rare a group of musicians

   the Queen's music

7. informal to confront the consequences of one's actions

8. something that is very pleasant to hear

   his news is music to my ears

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music More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing music

• face the music

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Other Word Forms

• antimusic
  noun
• musicless
  adjective
• undermusic
  noun

Etymology

Origin of music

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English musike, from Latin mūsica, from Greek mousikḕ (téchnē) “(the art) of the Muse,” feminine of mousikós, from Moûs(a) Muse + -ikos -ic

Explanation

Music is the pleasing sound created by voices or instruments following some tonal structure. If you sing, whistle, or play an instrument, you are making music. You can also write music using the specific language of notes. In Greek mythology, the goddesses who inspired creativity were called the Muses, from the words mousikḕ téchnē ("the art of the muses”). This led to the Latin mūsica. The word is also used in various idioms, such as "face the music," which means to accept consequences, and "making beautiful music together," which suggests making love. If something is "like music to your ears," you are happy to hear it.

Example Sentences

McClain, Iovine told The Times in 1998, “is one of the great music men in this business. I love the guy — and I learned a lot from him.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

McCartney's father Jim infused the house with music, bashing out self-taught tunes on an old piano.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Being a broke rapper for so long, part of the job is to put out an image that you feel represents the music, and it gets people wanting to listen.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

McClain grew up studying classical music and began playing guitar as a teenager; he got his start in the music industry as a session player for the likes of Lionel Richie and Gladys Knight.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

At first, the sounds came from under the table, but when the group sang, the raps thumped in time to the music on the table’s top.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• melody
• opera
• piece
• rap
• rock
• singing
• soul
• tune