polyphonic

[ pol-ee-fon-ik ]

/ ˌpɒl iˈfɒn ɪk /

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adjective

consisting of many voices or sounds.

Music.

having two or more voices or parts, each with an independent melody, but all harmonizing; contrapuntal (opposed to homophonic).
pertaining to music of this kind.
capable of producing more than one tone at a time, as an organ or a harp.

Phonetics. having more than one phonetic value, as the letter s, that is voiced (z) in nose and unvoiced (s) in salt.

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Origin of polyphonic

First recorded in 1775–85; polyphone + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM polyphonic

pol·y·phon·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby polyphonic

polyphasic, Polyphemus, Polyphemus moth, polyphenol, polyphone, polyphonic, polyphonic prose, polyphony, polyphosphoric acid, polyphyletic, polyphyodont

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use polyphonic in a sentence

It runs as a polyphonic symphony compared to the simple percussion section of the heart or the synchronized cellos of the liver.
We're Talking About Depression All Wrong|Jean Kim|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I institute quite early what I call polyphonic technic—one hand doing a different movement or touch from the other.
Piano Mastery|Harriette Brower
I thoroughly believe in the value of polyphonic music as a mental study; it is a necessity.
Piano Mastery|Harriette Brower
Then follows a short Allegro in three-four time, of polyphonic character.
The Pianoforte Sonata|J.S. Shedlock

The Gloria begins with a triumphant polyphonic chorus accompanied by a spirited symphony for strings.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1|Various
The easiest solution would have been to use some such polyphonic instrument as the piano or harmonium.
An Autobiography|Igor Stravinsky

British Dictionary definitions for polyphonic

polyphonic

/ (ˌpɒlɪˈfɒnɪk) /

adjective

music composed of relatively independent melodic lines or parts; contrapuntal

many-voiced

phonetics of, relating to, or denoting a polyphone

Derived forms of polyphonic

polyphonically, adverb

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