harmonic

[ hahr-mon-ik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to harmony, as distinguished from melody and rhythm.
2. marked by harmony; in harmony; concordant; consonant.
3. Physics. of, relating to, or noting a series of oscillations in which each oscillation has a frequency that is an integral multiple of the same basic frequency.
4. Mathematics.
   1. (of a set of values) related in a manner analogous to the frequencies of tones that are consonant.
   2. capable of being represented by sine and cosine functions.
   3. (of a function) satisfying the Laplace equation.

noun

1. Music. overtone ( def 1 ).
2. Physics. a single oscillation whose frequency is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency.

harmonic

/ hɑːˈmɒnɪk /

adjective

1. of, involving, producing, or characterized by harmony; harmonious
2. music of, relating to, or belonging to harmony
3. maths
   1. capable of expression in the form of sine and cosine functions
   2. of or relating to numbers whose reciprocals form an arithmetic progression
4. physics of or concerned with an oscillation that has a frequency that is an integral multiple of a fundamental frequency
5. physics of or concerned with harmonics

noun

1. physics music a component of a periodic quantity, such as a musical tone, with a frequency that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency. The first harmonic is the fundamental, the second harmonic (twice the fundamental frequency) is the first overtone , the third harmonic (three times the fundamental frequency) is the second overtone, etc
2. music (not in technical use) overtone: in this case, the first overtone is the first harmonic, etc

harmonic

/ här-mŏn′ĭk /

Noun

1. Periodic motion whose frequency is a whole-number multiple of some fundamental frequency. The motion of objects or substances that vibrate or oscillate in a regular fashion, such as the strings of musical instruments, can be analyzed as a combination of a fundamental frequency and higher harmonics.
2. ◆ Harmonics above the first harmonic (the fundamental frequency) in sound waves are called overtones . The first overtone is the second harmonic, the second overtone is the third harmonic, and so on.

Adjective

1. Related to or having the properties of such periodic motion.

Derived Forms

• harˈmonically, adverb

Other Words From

• har·moni·cal·ly adverb
• har·moni·cal·ness noun
• nonhar·monic adjective
• unhar·monic adjective
• unhar·moni·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of harmonic¹

1560–70; < Latin harmonicus < Greek harmonikós musical, suitable. See harmony, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of harmonic¹

C16: from Latin harmonicus relating to harmony

Example Sentences

The music itself blends jazz, blues and gospel music, creating a compositional voice the New York Times described as "dominated by lushly chromatic and modal harmonic writing, spiked with jagged rhythms and tart dissonance."

From Salon

The new Biotracks technology tracks the harmonic radar tags attached to bees with a receiver carried on a drone in a bid to improve understanding of what is happening to pollinators.

From BBC

Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford, she said they "ended up inventing the smallest harmonic radar tag ever" so that the insects could carry it without affecting their behaviour.

From BBC

Tempo Music alleges that Cyrus’ “Flowers” “duplicates numerous melodic, harmonic and lyrical elements” of Mars’ song, claiming that “‘Flowers’ would not exist without ‘When I Was Your Man.’

From Los Angeles Times

"You’ve got this incredible virtuosic harp playing, you’ve got a whole swathe of percussion, and you’ve got the harmonic sequences of the songs, which are often very romantic," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme ahead of the concert.

From BBC

Related Words

• melodic
• symphonic