music

American  

[myoo-zik] / ˈmju zɪk /

noun

music plural

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

Derived Forms

• antimusic
  noun
• undermusic
  noun
• musicless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• music
  plural

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

Record Scratch: A music industry coalition is pushing streaming giants like Spotify and Apple Music to label songs made by and with AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 12, 2026

Learning to drive initially demands constant attention, but years of experience allow many people to carry on a conversation, listen to music, or think through a problem while still driving safely.

From Science Daily • Jul. 12, 2026

The sheer amount of music to arrange and assemble for this was vast and demanding, and they got to all of it from 1996’s “Bottle Rocket” to the present.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2026

A clown paints children's faces, music fills the air, as families spread picnic carpets across the grass.

From Barron's • Jul. 11, 2026

When the theater lights fall, Joey focuses on the stage and listens to the music she’s always loved.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Related Words

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