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.

---

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

---

music More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing music

• face the music

---

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

"Beliebers" were celebrating the return of pop superstar Justin Bieber on Saturday, ahead of his return to major stages with a headlining appearance on the second day of the Coachella music festival.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

I live in Brooklyn, but most of my favorite artists of the past 10 years have emerged from the Philadelphia music scene.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

Ganpatrao also took her to music directors, hoping to profit from her talent and exerting control over her, causing her great hardship, Mangeshkar told film historian Nasrin Munni Kabir.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Tai: There’s a quality of this administration that reminds me a bit of the genre of jazz music.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

His flicking tail was keeping perfect time to the music of the hills.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

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