alternative music

noun

: music that is produced by performers who are outside the musical mainstream, that is typically regarded as more eclectic, original, or challenging than most popular music (such as conventional rock, pop, or country), and that is often distributed by independent record labels

Examples of alternative music in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite being one of the most successful names in alternative music history, Radiohead scores just its second career win on the Hot Alternative Songs chart this week. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025 In 1995 he was brought on to host MTV’s 120 Minutes, a show about artists of the alternative music genre. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025 That Billboard ranking tracks the tunes that rack up the largest total number of audience impressions across U.S. radio stations that specialize in alternative music. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 The band leads Billboard’s ranking of the most successful songs on U.S. radio stations that focus on alternative music — a format often referred to more casually as alternative rock. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alternative music

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alternative music was in 1974

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alternative music.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternative%20music. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alternative music

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!