symphony

American  

[sim-fuh-nee] / ˈsɪm fə ni /

noun

plural

symphonies

1. Music.

   1. 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.

   2. an instrumental passage occurring in a vocal composition, or between vocal movements in a composition.

   3. an instrumental piece, often in several movements, forming the overture to an opera or the like.

2. symphony orchestra.

3. a concert performed by a symphony orchestra.

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

5. harmony of sounds.

6. Archaic. agreement; concord.

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symphony British  

/ sɪmˈfɒnɪk, ˈsɪmfənɪ /

noun

1. 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

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

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

4. short for symphony orchestra

5. 1. another word for consonance Compare diaphony

   2. the interval of unison

6. anything distinguished by a harmonious composition

   the picture was a symphony of green

7. archaic harmony in general; concord

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symphony Cultural  

1. 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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Usage

What’s the difference between a symphony, an orchestra, and a philharmonic? In popular use, symphony, orchestra, and philharmonic are often used interchangeably to refer to a large group of musicians assembled to play music, especially classical music. The most common (and general) term is orchestra. Most large orchestras include many different instruments and classes of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The word symphony primarily refers to a complex, multipart musical composition (like Beethoven’s fifth symphony), but it’s also a short way of referring to a symphony orchestra—a large orchestra, the kind that performs symphonies. (Smaller orchestras—those with about 25 people—are often called chamber orchestras). As a noun, the word philharmonic can refer to a symphony orchestra or to the organization that sponsors it (sometimes called a philharmonic society, in which philharmonic is used as an adjective). The word orchestra most commonly refers to the group of musicians, but it can also refer to the space reserved for them, usually the front part of the main floor (sometimes called the orchestra pit). Both symphony and philharmonic are sometimes used in the names of orchestras, as in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Here’s an example of symphony, orchestra, and philharmonic used correctly in a sentence. Example: I’ve attended performances of this symphony by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between symphony, orchestra, and philharmonic.

Other Word Forms

• presymphony
  noun
• symphonic
  adjective
• symphonically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of symphony

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

Explanation

A symphony is the name of a type of classical music (a long, complex sonata) and the large orchestra that plays that music. If you go to a concert hall to see a piece of Beethoven or another composer, you're going to hear a symphony — a type of complicated, orchestral music played by a symphony orchestra. A symphony usually includes strings, horns, drums, piano and has a conductor to lead the group by waving a baton. You can also use this word as a comparison: A gorgeous spring day could be called a symphony of beauty and new life.

Example Sentences

Phil and the San Francisco Symphony were transformative.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

In the intervening years, when he was largely absent from U.S. podiums, Mr. Thomas cemented an enduring relationship with the London Symphony Orchestra, becoming its chief conductor in 1988.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The longtime music director of the San Francisco Symphony, who died Wednesday at age 81, was a sterling advocate of the nation’s repertoire throughout his half-century career.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Bernstein urged the Boston Symphony to name the 24-year-old Tilson Thomas its principal conductor but the musicians resisted, , believing he was too immature.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

A gifted French-horn player, as a teen he was a member of the American University Symphony but quit, according to Walt, after objecting to rules imposed by a high school band leader.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• concert
• music
• orchestra