unison

American  

[yoo-nuh-suhn, -zuhn] / ˈyu nə sən, -zən /

noun

1. coincidence in pitch of two or more musical tones, voices, etc.

2. the musical interval of a perfect prime.

3. the performance of musical parts at the same pitch or at the octave.

4. a sounding together in octaves, especially of male and female voices or of higher and lower instruments of the same class.

5. a process in which all elements behave in the same way at the same time; simultaneous or synchronous parallel action.

   to march in unison.

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idioms

1. in unison, in perfect accord; corresponding exactly.

   My feelings on the subject are in unison with yours.

UNISON ¹ British  

/ ˈjuːnɪsən /

noun

1. (in Britain) a trade union representing local government, health care, and other workers: formed in 1993 by the amalgamation of COHSE, NALGO, and NUPE

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unison ² British  

/ -zən, ˈjuːnɪsən /

noun

1. music

   1. the interval between two sounds of identical pitch

   2. (modifier) played or sung at the same pitch

      unison singing

2. complete agreement; harmony (esp in the phrase in unison )

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unison Cultural  

1. Playing or singing the same musical notes, or notes separated from each other by one or several octaves. Musicians who perform in unison are not playing or singing chords.

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Other Word Forms

• nonunison noun
• unisonous adjective

Etymology

Origin of unison

1565–75; < Medieval Latin ūnisonus of a single sound, equivalent to Latin ūni- uni- + sonus sound

Example Sentences

“We saw you,” said the Pack in unison.

From Literature

“Yours?” said the king and I in unison, but nobody seemed to notice me just then.

From Literature

The big picture is that while stocks often move closer to in unison—the majority often rise or fall at the same time to varying degrees—that isn’t happening right now.

From Barron's

The two girls nod in unison, which is super cute.

From Literature

Boy and dog moved their heads in unison as they scanned the lower shelves, which were filled with plastic containers.

From Literature