harmonic

1 of 2

adjective

har·​mon·​ic här-ˈmä-nik How to pronounce harmonic (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to musical harmony or a harmonic
3
: pleasing to the ear : harmonious
4
: of an integrated nature : congruous
harmonically adverb

harmonic

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: overtone
especially : one whose vibration frequency is an integral multiple of that of the fundamental
b
: a flutelike tone produced on a stringed instrument by touching a vibrating string at a nodal point
2
: a component frequency of a complex wave (as of electromagnetic energy) that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency

Examples of harmonic in a Sentence

Adjective the desire to live the kind of harmonic life in which work and family are perfectly balanced
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.
Adjective
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is, in these darkest days of midwinter, one of the city’s spiritual hot spots, thanks to the harmonic convergence of two outstanding and very different exhibitions, both closing soon. Holland Cotter, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024 However, the bass beats didn't produce a harmonic signal, which was surprising since those beats were better synchronized with the actual musical beats than Tepp's jumping motions. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 26 Mar. 2024
Noun
Bird noise gives way to a low drone, which then multiplies, creating a harmonic buzz—a chorus of leaf blowers, Bachman explains, similar to the models used to clear fire lines and recorded years earlier at a landscaping job. Brendan Fitzgerald, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024 Cherish the Ladies Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook The Irish vocal ensemble has its own glorious yet down-to-earth harmonic take on Christmas tunes and more. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for harmonic 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of harmonic was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near harmonic

Cite this Entry

“Harmonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmonic. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

harmonic

1 of 2 adjective
har·​mon·​ic här-ˈmän-ik How to pronounce harmonic (audio)
: of or relating to musical harmony as opposed to melody or rhythm
harmonically adverb

harmonic

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on harmonic

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