sonority

noun
so·​nor·​i·​ty | \ sə-ˈnȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce sonority (audio) , -ˈnär-\
plural sonorities

Definition of sonority

1 : the quality or state of being sonorous : resonance
2 : a sonorous tone or speech

Examples of sonority in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Long phrases sung by the men were layered with the lush sonorities of the women’s voices. Washington Post, "Washington Chorus pairs unlikely works offering reflection and reconciliation," 10 June 2019 Sometimes a bed of strings will swell with a prolonged sonority, though the component notes are too restless to stay put. New York Times, "Review: A Long-Awaited New Opera Is a Raucous Beauty," 11 May 2018 The score, commissioned from Mr. King’s frequent collaborator, Jason Moran, runs through a wide range of instrumental sonorities. Alastair Macaulay, New York Times, "Review: San Francisco Ballet’s Unbound Festival Plunges Into the New," 22 Apr. 2018 There’s one singer, Clinton Curtis; many vocal lines are given to the theremin (played by Rob Schimmer), not a Beatles instrument but one whose weird sonority adds its own layer of drama. Alastair Macaulay, New York Times, "Review: Mark Morris’s Lonely Hearts Club Band," 22 June 2018 Which is a big difference both in power and quality of sonority. Alan Artner, chicagotribune.com, "In the heat, Moser, Grant Park Orchestra perform a delicate Dvorak," 30 June 2018 The Memorial for Peace and Justice presents this drama of intimidation with minimum documentation and detail and maximum sonority. New York Times, "A Memorial to the Lingering Horror of Lynching," 1 June 2018 Her arresting wall-of-sound sonority is used more sparingly. David Patrick Stearns, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Orchestra and Helene Grimaud gives a preview of the upcoming Israel tour," 11 May 2018 Muti shaped a flowing performance, although more resonant stage sonics would have better served the lush string sonorities. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Review: John Malkovich's wan narration disappoints in CSO reading of 'Lincoln Portrait'," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sonority.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sonority

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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