1 symphonies | Definition of symphonies

symphony

noun
sym·​pho·​ny | \ ˈsim(p)-fə-nē How to pronounce symphony (audio) \
plural symphonies

Definition of symphony

1 : consonance of sounds
c(1) : a usually long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra
(2) : a musical composition (as for organ) resembling such a symphony in complexity or variety
3 : consonance or harmony of color (as in a painting)
b : a symphony orchestra concert
5 : something that in its harmonious complexity or variety suggests a symphonic composition a symphony of flavors

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Examples of symphony in a Sentence

the satisfying symphony of color in Renoir's canvases a performance of a Bach concerto by the San Antonio Symphony

Recent Examples on the Web

On this Saturday morning, the program was a divertimento, a concerto, and a symphony. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, "Mozart & Co.," 30 Aug. 2019 The sauce is a symphony of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors. Hadley Tomicki, Los Angeles Times, "The ‘King of Gummies’ built his empire with chamoy and candy," 23 Aug. 2019 Necklaces of color surround the sun and the air is a beautiful symphony of blue, red, purple, and indigo dots of color. Denise Coffey, courant.com, "“New Perspectives” On Display At Spirol Gallery," 29 July 2019 The sounds are a symphony of conversation, laughter and music. David Laurell, latimes.com, "On the Town: Magnolia Park monthly event draws crowds, generates business," 3 June 2019 For all its unquestionable greatness, this symphony can emerge limp absent a unified conception. David Mermelstein, WSJ, "The Czech Philharmonic’s Global Ambitions," 31 Oct. 2018 The InstaNatural serum’s formula is basically a symphony of key anti-aging ingredients, including big-hitters like hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, and sea buckthorn oil. Claudia Fisher, Health.com, "This Vitamin C Serum With 5,000 Near-Perfect Reviews Will Transform Your Skin—and It's on Sale," 15 July 2019 In addition, the symphony is collaborating with top local purveyors for its new dining section, Finest City Eats. San Diego Union-Tribune, "The Dish: 34 places you can eat, drink and hang out this Independence Day," 27 June 2019 Beethoven was sketching out preliminary plans for the symphony and carefully weighing his opinions of Napoleon. National Geographic, "How Beethoven went from Napoleon’s biggest fan to his worst critic," 24 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'symphony.' 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 symphony

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for symphony

Middle English symphonie, from Middle French, from Latin symphonia, from Greek symphƍnia, from symphƍnos concordant in sound, from syn- + phƍnē voice, sound — more at ban

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More Definitions for symphony

symphony

noun

English Language Learners Definition of symphony

: a long piece of music that is usually in four large, separate sections and that is performed by an orchestra

symphony

noun
sym·​pho·​ny | \ ˈsim-fə-nē How to pronounce symphony (audio) \
plural symphonies

Kids Definition of symphony

1 : a usually long musical composition for a full orchestra
2 : a large orchestra of wind, string, and percussion instruments
3 : harmonious arrangement (as of sound or color)

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More from Merriam-Webster on symphony

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for symphony

Spanish Central: Translation of symphony

Nglish: Translation of symphony for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about symphony