whole step

noun

, Music.

First recorded in 1895–1900

How does whole step compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

The interval between the two tones may therefore be either a half-step or a whole-step.

The expressions half-step and whole-step are much to be preferred to half-tone and whole-tone, as being more clear and definite.

If strictly logical terminology is to be insisted upon the whole-tone scale should be called the "whole-step" scale.

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