polyphony

[ puh-lif-uh-nee ]

noun

1. Music. polyphonic composition; counterpoint.
2. Phonetics. representation of different sounds by the same letter or symbol.

polyphony

/ pəˈlɪfənɪ /

noun

1. polyphonic style of composition or a piece of music utilizing it
2. the use of polyphones in a writing system

Derived Forms

• poˈlyphonous, adjective
• poˈlyphonously, adverb

Other Words From

• po·lypho·nous adjective
• po·lypho·nous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyphony¹

First recorded in 1820–30, polyphony is from the Greek word polyphōnía variety of tones. See poly-, -phony

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyphony¹

C19: from Greek poluphōnia diversity of tones, from poly- + phōnē speech, sound

Example Sentences

It’s jazz at an early stage: this is still the era of everyone-at-once polyphony.

From New York Times

The children have their own afflictions, as does the husband-to-be, all shared in a polyphony of severed tongues.

From Los Angeles Times

He was at work on a second album of “generative polyphony” when the war came to Kyiv.

From New York Times

Geri Allen showed up in the 1980s with powerful grooves, exuberant melodies and astonishing polyphonies between her anchoring left hand and her wry, fluidly inventive right.

From New York Times

“The shock was so huge, absolutely huge,” Pichon said, recalling the thrill of singing polyphony in a stone building, rather than practicing his violin alone.

From New York Times

Related Words

• arrangement
• chord
• composition
• melody
• tune
• unity