unison

[ yoo-nuh-suhn, -zuhn ]

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.

UNISON

¹

/ 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

unison

²

/ -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 )

unison

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 .

Derived Forms

• uˈnisonous, adjective

Other Words From

• non·uni·son noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unison¹

1565–75; < Medieval Latin ūnisonus of a single sound, equivalent to Latin ūni- uni- + sonus sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of unison¹

C16: from Late Latin ūnisonus, from uni- + sonus sound

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in unison, in perfect accord; corresponding exactly:

   My feelings on the subject are in unison with yours.

Example Sentences

Around them, the collective force of 53,000 fans all too accustomed to October frustration and heartbreak roared in delirious unison.

From Los Angeles Times

She gave the example of a person at an aquarium, who might want to find out why a group of fish are swimming in unison.

From BBC

“We talk about TV shows and movies,” they both say nearly in unison.

From Los Angeles Times

It didn’t take long for my labored pedaling to be replaced by her strength as she pushed me along from behind and we burst out in fits of laughter and joy in unison.

From Los Angeles Times

“Hi! By now you probably have seen the viral video of our family dancing in unison to @scoutlaruewillis new single! We love this video!”

From Los Angeles Times