SYMPHONY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does symphony mean? 

• SYMPHONY (noun)
  The noun SYMPHONY has 2 senses:

1. a long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra

2. a large orchestra; can perform symphonies

  Familiarity information: SYMPHONY used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SYMPHONY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

symphonic music; symphony

Hypernyms ("symphony" is a kind of...):

sonata (a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms)

Derivation:

symphonic (relating to or characteristic or suggestive of a symphony)

symphonize (play or sound together, in harmony)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A large orchestra; can perform symphonies

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

philharmonic; symphony; symphony orchestra

Context example:

we heard the Vienna symphony

Hypernyms ("symphony" is a kind of...):

orchestra (a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players)

Derivation:

symphonize (play or sound together, in harmony)

 Context examples 

As a symphony orchestra emits sound across an array of frequencies, the gravitational waves emitted by black holes occur at different frequencies and times, said lead author Karan Jani of Vanderbilt University.

(Observing 'black hole symphony' using gravitational wave astronomy, National Science Foundation)