harmony

noun

har·​mo·​ny ˈhär-mə-nē 

plural harmonies

1

a

: the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord

She taught him how to sing harmony.

b

: the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords

a song with complicated harmonies and rhythms

c

: the science of the structure, relation, and progression of chords

2

a

: pleasing arrangement of parts : congruence

a painting exhibiting harmony of color and line

b

: agreement, accord

The standard we sanction today is in harmony with the most basictenets of our law.

—Heighs Implement Co. v. Missouri Hwy and Transp. Commn, 859 S.W.2d 681 (1993)

c

: internal calm : tranquility

a period of relative harmony

3

a

: an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative

b

: a systematic arrangement of parallel literary passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing agreement or harmony

4

archaic : tuneful sound : melody

Synonyms

• balance
• coherence
• concinnity
• consonance
• consonancy
• orchestration
• proportion
• symmetry
• symphony
• unity

Examples of harmony in a Sentence

a song with complicated harmonies and rhythms

her face had an angelic harmony that fascinated the leading painters of her day

Recent Examples on the Web

The performance highlights the intricate exchanges and rich harmonies that make this piece a cornerstone of the chamber music repertoire, offering audiences a profound and memorable musical experience. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2024

One promising development is support for open-source RCS messaging so that Androids and iPhones can finally live in sweet harmony. —Michael Muchmore, PCMAG, 5 June 2024

The actors, like their characters, have found a way to cooperate and coexist in harmony; by the third season, Sam and Jay have found a way to set some boundaries with the ghosts while incorporating them somewhat seamlessly into their daily lives. —Max Gao, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024

But the way Canales is approaching his Year 1 and the way Young is approaching his Year 2 reveals a harmony between Carolina’s two most public characters. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English armony, from Anglo-French armonie, from Latin harmonia, from Greek, joint, harmony, from harmos joint — more at arm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Kids Definition

harmony

noun

har·​mo·​ny ˈhär-mə-nē 

plural harmonies

1

a

: the combination of musical notes played together as chords

b

: the structure of music with respect to the way it is written and to the way notes are grouped as chords

c

: the science of harmony

2

a

: pleasing or suitable arrangement of parts

b

: agreement sense 1b

lives in harmony with nature