whole step

American  

noun

Music.

1. an interval of two semitones, as A-B or B-C♯; a major second.

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Etymology

Origin of whole step

First recorded in 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does whole-step compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• whole step vs. half step

Example Sentences

This is a half step where a whole step is needed.

From Salon

“This could be a whole step forward for understanding magmatism—and the global composition of the bulk Earth.”

From Science Magazine

Label the half steps and whole steps of the A minor scale.

From Literature

Major keys, for example, always follow the same pattern of half steps and whole steps.

From Literature

On “Smokie,” he achieved a twangy bass sound by tuning two whole steps low and tapping on the strings with a pencil.

From Washington Post