musicology

American  

[myoo-zi-kol-uh-jee] / ˌmju zɪˈkɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the scholarly or scientific study of music, as in historical research, musical theory, or the physical nature of sound.

---

musicology British  

/ ˌmjuːzɪˈkɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the scholarly study of music

---

Other Word Forms

• musicologist
  noun
• musicological
  adjective
• musicologically
  adverb

---

Etymology

Origin of musicology

First recorded in 1905–10; music + -o- + -logy

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

musicology

Candace Hansen, a PhD candidate in musicology at UCLA, recalls being harassed and forced out of a women’s restroom at their hometown 24-Hour Fitness a few months ago.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 2026

Mr. Page is a professor emeritus of musicology at the University of Southern California.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025

"Eminem is often mentioned in far-right online spaces," adds Sam de Boise, a musicology lecturer specialising in radicalisation at Sweden's Örebro University.

From BBC ● May 31, 2024

His bandmates were equally brainy: Mr. Gottlieb had a doctorate in musicology and Mr. Yarbrough once worked as a bouncer to pay for Greek lessons.

From New York Times ● May 12, 2024

And ear training is also crucial for those interested in music theory, musicology, or just being able to write down a tune accurately.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---