unison

American  

[yoo-nuh-suhn, -zuhn] / ˈyu nə sən, -zən /

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.

---

idioms

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

   My feelings on the subject are in unison with yours.

unison ¹ British  

/ -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 ² British  

/ 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 Cultural  

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.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonunison noun
• unisonous adjective

Etymology

Origin of unison

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

Explanation

The noun unison describes something that is synchronized or simultaneous, like when someone asks a question and you and your friend respond with the exact same answer at the same moment. When something is said in unison, two or more voices sound like one. Unison comes from the Latin root words uni, meaning "one," and sonous, meaning "sound." So unison literally means one sound, and in music, it still retains that meaning. Unison occurs when two or more people play or sing the same pitch or in octaves. Outside of music, you may have experienced unison speaking when your class recites something together or unison movement when a group performs a dance routine.

Example Sentences

O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, combustible but extraordinary in unison.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

"Where is the money?" supporters of Magyar's party, Tisza, thundered in unison, referring to accusations against local Fidesz politicians over millions of euros of public funds that have gone missing.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

While each member of BTS participates in the dance portions – many of them coordinated in unison — three breakout members are also acknowledged as the main dancers: J-Hope, Jimin and Jung Kook.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

He watches as his dancers parse through a section in the studio, repeating a phrase until they are in unison.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

They spoke in unison and then glared at each other.

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen