symphony

[ sim-fuh-nee ]

/ ˈsɪm fə ni /

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See synonyms for: symphony / symphonies on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural sym·pho·nies.

Music.

an elaborate instrumental composition in three or more movements, similar in form to a sonata but written for an orchestra and usually of far grander proportions and more varied elements.
an instrumental passage occurring in a vocal composition, or between vocal movements in a composition.
an instrumental piece, often in several movements, forming the overture to an opera or the like.

symphony orchestra.

a concert performed by a symphony orchestra.

anything characterized by a harmonious combination of elements, especially an effective combination of colors.

harmony of sounds.

Archaic. agreement; concord.

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Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

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Origin of symphony

1250–1300; Middle English symfonye<Old French symphonie<Latin symphōnia concert <Greek symphōnía harmony. See sym-, -phony

OTHER WORDS FROM symphony

pre·sym·pho·ny, noun, plural pre·sym·pho·nies.

Words nearby symphony

symphonic poem, Symphonie Fantastique, symphonious, symphonist, symphonize, symphony, symphony orchestra, symphysial, symphysion, symphysiotomy, symphysis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for symphony

It was a matter of making sure that the instruments played together in symphony.
Turning space images into music makes astronomy more accessible|Maria Temming|October 16, 2020|Science News
When we watch at home, when we watch with our attention scissored up by other screens, that amplitude of feeling is next to impossible, like listening to a symphony from outside the concert hall.
COVID could reinvent how we go to the movies|jakemeth|October 15, 2020|Fortune
Last year, only 8 percent of pieces performed by major symphony orchestras were composed by women.
Why Beethoven’s 5th Symphony matters in 2020|Charlie Harding|September 25, 2020|Vox
Now in his inbox he suddenly had evidence of the full symphony.
Global Wave Discovery Ends 220-Year Search|Charlie Wood|August 13, 2020|Quanta Magazine

Blumenthal Center for the Performing ArtsThe Blumenthal Center for the Performing Arts is an excellent venue for local symphony, opera, dance & theater companies, as well as a film & photography museum.
Charlotte : Celebrating Diversity in the Queen City|LGBTQ-Editor|August 11, 2020|No Straight News
If Japanese whisky is like a symphony, then I am a contented listener.
Watch Out, Scotland! Japanese Whisky Is on the Rise|Kayleigh Kulp|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the Marc show where the only song was Bittersweet Symphony.
It's Who You Know: The Power Players of New York Fashion Week|Barbara Ragghianti|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
But seriously, what do you get when mix the Seattle Symphony with Sir Mix-A-Lot?
Psy and Snoop Dogg’s ‘Hangover,’ World Cup Puppy, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Members of the San Francisco Symphony orchestra make $160,000 a year.
Why Primary-Care Physicians Need a Minimum Wage|Daniela Drake|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He directed the Ninth Symphony, and played twice himself with orchestral accompaniments.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Then came two pieces by the orchestra; next, my three solos in a row, and a symphony of Haydn closed the programme.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
One year he was carried away by Beethovens Eighth Symphony, the next he pronounced it very nice, but nothing more.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
In consequence of his illness, Tchaikovsky was unable to finish the symphony during the summer.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
His symphony was severely criticised, rejected, and pronounced unworthy of performance.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for symphony

symphony

/ (ˈsɪmfənɪ) /

noun plural -nies

an extended large-scale orchestral composition, usually with several movements, at least one of which is in sonata form. The classical form of the symphony was fixed by Haydn and Mozart, but the innovations of subsequent composers have freed it entirely from classical constraints. It continues to be a vehicle for serious, large-scale orchestral music

a piece of instrumental music in up to three very short movements, used as an overture to or interlude in a baroque opera

any purely orchestral movement in a vocal work, such as a cantata or oratorio

short for symphony orchestra

(in musical theory, esp of classical Greece)

another word for consonance (def. 3) Compare diaphony (def. 2)
the interval of unison

anything distinguished by a harmonious compositionthe picture was a symphony of green

archaic harmony in general; concord

Derived forms of symphony

symphonic (sɪmˈfɒnɪk), adjectivesymphonically, adverb

Word Origin for symphony

C13: from Old French symphonie, from Latin symphōnia concord, concert, from Greek sumphōnia, from syn- + phōnē sound

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

Cultural definitions for symphony

symphony

An extended musical composition for orchestra in several movements, typically four. Among the composers especially known for their symphonies are Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Franz Josef Haydn, Gustav Mahler, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

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symphony

noun, plural sym·pho·nies.

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Origin of symphony

OTHER WORDS FROM symphony

Words nearby symphony

Example sentences from the Web for symphony

British Dictionary definitions for symphony

noun plural -nies

Derived forms of symphony

Word Origin for symphony

Cultural definitions for symphony

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

symphony

noun, plural sym·pho·nies.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Origin of symphony

OTHER WORDS FROM symphony

Words nearby symphony

Words related to symphony

Example sentences from the Web for symphony

British Dictionary definitions for symphony

noun plural -nies

Derived forms of symphony

Word Origin for symphony

Cultural definitions for symphony