quintet

American  

[kwin-tet] / kwɪnˈtɛt /

Or quintette

noun

1. any set or group of five persons or things.

2. an organized group of five singers or players.

3. a musical composition scored for five voices or instruments.

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quintet British  

/ kwɪnˈtɛt /

noun

1. a group of five singers or instrumentalists or a piece of music composed for such a group

2. any group of five

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quintet Cultural  

1. A group of five musicians; also, a piece of music for five instruments or voices.

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Etymology

Origin of quintet

1805–15; < French quintette < Italian quintetto, diminutive of quinto fifth < Latin quīntus

Example Sentences

As the Choreographer, Megan Moore’s plangent mezzo was especially effective in her mourning aria; soprano Whitney Morrison was dramatic as the Performance Artist, the only member of the creative quintet who sees what is coming.

From The Wall Street Journal

Brahms’ viola-infused string quintets and sextets have in them the essence of amber autumn, and three major L.A. institutions coincidentally turned to them over six November days.

From Los Angeles Times

The quintet was so hopelessly tangled that it took the fifth tiebreaker, the combined win-percentage of conference opponents, to determine who would meet the Cavaliers in Charlotte.

From The Wall Street Journal

It didn’t quite turn out that Brahmsians would have the rare chance of a full survey of the quintets and sextets downtown over six days.

From Los Angeles Times

Beyond the performance, the assembly of this England quintet is made more remarkable by the obstacles each man has had to overcome to be on the field.

From BBC

Related Words

• assemblage
• band
• cast
• choir
• chorus
• orchestra
• quartet
• sextet
• trio
• troupe