philharmonic

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

See more synonyms for philharmonic on Thesaurus.com

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.

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. 2018

Related Words for philharmonic

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

Examples from the Web for philharmonic

Contemporary Examples of philharmonic

Credit Suisse has been the exclusive Global Sponsor of the New York Philharmonic since 2007.
The New York Philharmonic Kicks Off its 170th Season
Daily Beast Promotions
September 19, 2011
Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta has high hopes for the 2010–11 season as well.
The New York Philharmonic and Credit Suisse Kick Off the 2010-11 Season with a Free Dress Rehearsal
Daily Beast Promotions
September 22, 2010
On Monday morning, the Philharmonic announced that financier Henry R. Kravis will donate that impressive sum to the symphony.
The 21st-Century Maestro
Rachel Syme
September 15, 2009
Do not buy the big, pre-assembled block of knives with more pieces than the London Philharmonic.
The Perfect Use for Deadly Weapons
Chad Ward
July 21, 2009

Historical Examples of philharmonic

I don't mean this kind of a public, but before a Philharmonic audience!
Melomaniacs
James Huneker
One of the greatest gamblers at the Philharmonic is Don Vicente.
The Pearl of the Antilles, or An Artist in Cuba
Walter Goodman
In which case I would keep back my compositions from the Philharmonic.
Wagner as I Knew Him
Ferdinand Christian Wilhelm Praeger
They are still performed, 51 now and then, at the Philharmonic Concerts.
The Violin
George Dubourg
The Philharmonic committee had no reason to regret their arrangements.
The Life of Johannes Brahms (Vol 1 of 2)
Florence May

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.