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philharmonic

[fil-hahr-mon-ik, fil-er-]
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adjective

fond of or devoted to music; music-loving: used especially in the name of certain musical societies that sponsor symphony orchestras (Philharmonic Societies) and hence applied to their concerts (philharmonic concerts).
of, noting, or presented by a symphony orchestra or the society sponsoring it.

noun

a symphony orchestra or the society sponsoring it.

RELATED CONTENT

What is the difference between a philharmonic and a symphony?
A philharmonic is a symphony orchestra or the group that supports it. A symphony is a large orchestra. An orchestra is a large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including strings, woodwinds, brass instruments, and percussion instruments. So, philharmonic and symphony orchestra are synonymous. Philharmonic comes from Greek words meaning ‘love of harmony’ and in this instance is a colloquial shortening of “philharmonic society” or “philharmonic orchestra.” The term only dates back to …
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RELATED WORDS

troupe, symphony, orchestra, ensemble, combo, concert, instrumental, musical, symphonious, operatic

Origin of philharmonic

1755–65; phil- + harmonic; modeled on French philharmonique or Italian filarmonico
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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British Dictionary definitions for philharmonic

philharmonic

adjective

fond of music
(capital when part of a name) denoting an orchestra, choir, society, etc, devoted to the performance, appreciation, and study of music

noun

(capital when part of a name) a specific philharmonic choir, orchestra, or society

Word Origin for philharmonic

C18: from French philharmonique, from Italian filarmonico music-loving; see philo-, harmony
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for philharmonic
adj.

1813 (in the name of a society founded in London for the promotion of instrumental music), from French philharmonique (1739), from Italian filarmonico, literally "loving harmony," from Greek philos "loving" see philo-) + ta harmonika "theory of harmony, music," from neuter plural of harmonikos (see harmonic). The Society name was taken up in the names of many symphony orchestras.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper