musicology

American  

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

noun

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

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musicology British  

/ ˌmjuːzɪˈkɒlədʒɪ, ˌmjuːzɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the scholarly study of music

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Other Word Forms

• musicological adjective
• musicologically adverb
• musicologist noun

Etymology

Origin of musicology

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

Example Sentences

The core tension in the photograph lies in a rub between musicology and musician, theory and practitioner.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Page is a professor emeritus of musicology at the University of Southern California and the author of “Parallel Play.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Joseph notes that many schools are at risk of closure due to the island’s ongoing economic crisis, and those that remain open seldom teach the traditional musicology of bomba, plena, danza, mazurca.

From Los Angeles Times

Her radical sophistication and courage were in further evidence in 1974 when she addressed a Verdi musicology conference in Chicago.

From Los Angeles Times