semitone

[ sem-ee-tohn, sem-ahy- ]

/ ˈsɛm iˌtoʊn, ˈsɛm aɪ- /

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noun Music.

a pitch interval halfway between two whole tones.

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Also called half step, half tone.

Origin of semitone

First recorded in 1600–10; semi- + tone

OTHER WORDS FROM semitone

sem·i·ton·ic

[sem-ee-ton-ik, sem-ahy-], /ˌsɛm iˈtɒn ɪk, ˌsɛm aɪ-/, sem·i·ton·al

[sem-ee-tohn-l, sem-ahy-], /ˌsɛm iˈtoʊn l, ˌsɛm aɪ-/, adjectivesem·i·ton·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby semitone

Semitic, Semitics, Semitism, Semitist, Semito-Hamitic, semitone, semitrailer, semitranslucent, semitransparent, semitropical, semitruck

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

How to use semitone in a sentence

In the Diatonic genus, for example, a semitone must be followed by two tones, so as to make up the interval of a Fourth.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
A trill, or rapid reiteration of two notes comprehending an interval not greater than one whole tone, nor less than a semitone.
Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.|Philip Vickers Fithian
A diesis is a quarter tone; hence in a semitone there are included two dieses.
Ten Books on Architecture|Vitruvius
Everybody shall be like a well-tuned instrument, all sounding in accord, and never a semitone out of the way.
Palmetto-Leaves|Harriet Beecher Stowe

A Chromatic progression is one in which the pitch is changed a semitone, while the name remains the same.
A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons|Friedrich J. Lehmann

British Dictionary definitions for semitone

semitone

/ (ˈsɛmɪˌtəʊn) /

noun

an interval corresponding to a frequency difference of 100 cents as measured in the system of equal temperament, and denoting the pitch difference between certain adjacent degrees of the diatonic scale (diatonic semitone) or between one note and its sharpened or flattened equivalent (chromatic semitone); minor secondAlso called (US and Canadian): half step Compare whole tone

Derived forms of semitone

semitonic (ˌsɛmɪˈtɒnɪk), adjectivesemitonally, 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