philharmonic

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

adjective

1. fond of or devoted to music; music-loving: used especially in the name of certain musical societies that sponsor symphony orchestras Philharmonic Societies and hence applied to their concerts philharmonicconcerts.
2. of, noting, or presented by a symphony orchestra or the society sponsoring it.

noun

1. a symphony orchestra or the society sponsoring it.

philharmonic

/ ˌfɪlə-; ˌfɪlhɑːˈmɒnɪk /

adjective

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

noun

1. capital when part of a name a specific philharmonic choir, orchestra, or society

Word History and Origins

Origin of philharmonic¹

1755–65; phil- + harmonic; modeled on French philharmonique or Italian filarmonico

Word History and Origins

Origin of philharmonic¹

C18: from French philharmonique, from Italian filarmonico music-loving; see philo- , harmony

Example Sentences

Sargeant had served as a violinist with the New York Philharmonic.

From The Daily Beast

Credit Suisse has been the exclusive Global Sponsor of the New York Philharmonic since 2007.

From The Daily Beast

Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta has high hopes for the 2010–11 season as well.

From The Daily Beast

Tonight, the N.Y. Philharmonic's baton is passed to Alan Gilbert, who wants to mash up the orchestra with metal and jazz.

From The Daily Beast

On Monday morning, the Philharmonic announced that financier Henry R. Kravis will donate that impressive sum to the symphony.

From The Daily Beast

The Philharmonic concerts are wretched, and nobody goes to even the few piano concerts there are.

From Project Gutenberg

Count Stockhammer gave me a fresh commission on behalf of the Philharmonic Society.

From Project Gutenberg

Mendelssohn did not confine himself to calling the Philharmonic Society together for my benefit.

From Project Gutenberg

Some commissions from the Philharmonic would be very acceptable to me, besides, the concert.

From Project Gutenberg

The public of the Philharmonic concerts is very favourably disposed towards me.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ensemble
• orchestra
• symphony
• troupe

Philharmonic Vs. Symphony Vs. Orchestra

What’s the difference between  a philharmonic, a symphony, and an orchestra?

Quiz yourself on philharmonic vs. symphony vs. orchestra!

Should philharmonic, symphony, or orchestra be used in the following sentence?

Mozart composed this _____ in 1786.