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  

/ -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 ² 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 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

“The greatest genius,” he writes, “is the most indebted man,” someone deeply connected with others and who possesses “a heart in unison with his time and country.”

From The Wall Street Journal

While each member of BTS participates in the dance portions – many of them coordinated in unison — three breakout members are also acknowledged as the main dancers: J-Hope, Jimin and Jung Kook.

From Salon

He watches as his dancers parse through a section in the studio, repeating a phrase until they are in unison.

From Los Angeles Times

That gimmick allows the audience and the characters to venture into the void of the unknown in unison.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shortly afterwards, mobile phones beeped in unison as a missile alert came in and the wail of sirens started up.

From Barron's