symphony

[ sim-fuh-nee ]

noun

, plural sym·pho·nies.

1. Music.
   1. an elaborate instrumental composition in three or more movements, similar in form to a sonata but written for an orchestra and usually of far grander proportions and more varied elements.
   2. an instrumental passage occurring in a vocal composition, or between vocal movements in a composition.
   3. an instrumental piece, often in several movements, forming the overture to an opera or the like.
2. symphony orchestra.
3. a concert performed by a symphony orchestra.
4. anything characterized by a harmonious combination of elements, especially an effective combination of colors.
5. harmony of sounds.
6. Archaic. agreement; concord.

symphony

/ sɪmˈfɒnɪk; ˈsɪmfənɪ /

noun

1. an extended large-scale orchestral composition, usually with several movements, at least one of which is in sonata form. The classical form of the symphony was fixed by Haydn and Mozart, but the innovations of subsequent composers have freed it entirely from classical constraints. It continues to be a vehicle for serious, large-scale orchestral music
2. a piece of instrumental music in up to three very short movements, used as an overture to or interlude in a baroque opera
3. any purely orchestral movement in a vocal work, such as a cantata or oratorio
4. short for symphony orchestra
5. in musical theory, esp of classical Greece
   1. another word for consonance Compare diaphony
   2. the interval of unison
6. anything distinguished by a harmonious composition

   the picture was a symphony of green

7. archaic.
   harmony in general; concord

symphony

1. An extended musical composition for orchestra in several movements , typically four. Among the composers especially known for their symphonies are Ludwig van Beethoven , Johannes Brahms , Franz Josef Haydn , Gustav Mahler , and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart .

Derived Forms

• symphonic, adjective
• symˈphonically, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·sympho·ny noun plural presymphonies

Word History and Origins

Origin of symphony¹

1250–1300; Middle English symfonye < Old French symphonie < Latin symphōnia concert < Greek symphōnía harmony. See sym-, -phony

Word History and Origins

Origin of symphony¹

C13: from Old French symphonie, from Latin symphōnia concord, concert, from Greek sumphōnia, from syn- + phōnē sound

Example Sentences

“Play my heartstrings with both your hands,” she commands, “and I’ll sing like a symphony for you.”

From New York Times

The ensemble was so grounded that the feeling here was of everyone giving everything they had to hold the symphony — and symbolically the world — together.

From Los Angeles Times

His first gala began with the premiere of John Adams’ huge symphony, “City Noir.”

From Los Angeles Times

The couple continued to donate annually and have significantly supported the renovation campaign, although the symphony declined to specify how much.

From Los Angeles Times

The first sees the symphony split into its four movements.

From BBC

Related Words

• concert
• music
• orchestra

Symphony Vs. Orchestra Vs. Philharmonic

What’s the difference between a symphony, an orchestra, and a philharmonic?

In popular use, symphony, orchestra, and philharmonic are often used interchangeably to refer to a large group of musicians assembled to play music, especially classical music.

The most common (and general) term is orchestra. Most large orchestras include many different instruments and classes of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

The word symphony primarily refers to a complex, multipart musical composition (like Beethoven’s fifth symphony), but it’s also a short way of referring to a symphony orchestra—a large orchestra, the kind that performs symphonies. (Smaller orchestras—those with about 25 people—are often called chamber orchestras). As a noun, the word philharmonic can refer to a symphony orchestra or to the organization that sponsors it (sometimes called a philharmonic society, in which philharmonic is used as an adjective). The word orchestra most commonly refers to the group of musicians, but it can also refer to the space reserved for them, usually the front part of the main floor (sometimes called the orchestra pit).

Both symphony and philharmonic are sometimes used in the names of orchestras, as in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Here’s an example of symphony, orchestra, and philharmonic used correctly in a sentence.

Example: I’ve attended performances of this symphony by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. 

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between symphony, orchestra, and philharmonic.

Quiz yourself on symphony vs. orchestra vs. philharmonic!

Should symphony, orchestra, or philharmonic be used in the following sentence?

Mozart composed this _____ in 1786.