music Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
  2. noun any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds
    euphony.
    • he fell asleep to the music of the wind chimes
  3. noun musical activity (singing or whistling etc.)
    • his music was his central interest
  4. noun (music) the sounds produced by singers or musical instruments (or reproductions of such sounds)
  5. noun punishment for one's actions
    medicine.
    • you have to face the music
    • take your medicine

WordNet

Mu"sic noun
Etymology
F. musique, fr. L. musica, Gr. (sc. ), any art over which the Muses presided, especially music, lyric poetry set and sung to music, fr. belonging to Muses or fine arts, fr. Muse.
Definitions
  1. The science and the art of tones, or musical sounds, i.e., sounds of higher or lower pitch, begotten of uniform and synchronous vibrations, as of a string at various degrees of tension; the science of harmonical tones which treats of the principles of harmony, or the properties, dependences, and relations of tones to each other; the art of combining tones in a manner to please the ear. ✍ Not all sounds are tones. Sounds may be unmusical and yet please the ear. Music deals with tones, and with no other sounds. See Tone.
  2. (a) Melody; a rhythmical and otherwise agreeable succession of tones. (b) Harmony; an accordant combination of simultaneous tones.
  3. The written and printed notation of a musical composition; the score.
  4. Love of music; capacity of enjoying music.
    The man that hath ni music in himself Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils. Shak.
  5. (Zoöl.) A more or less musical sound made by many of the lower animals. See Stridulation. esp. reprimand for an error or misdeed

Webster 1913