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

As one Heat official said during the recent back-and-forth, plenty of teams win without absolute harmony, including plenty of Heat teams in the past, including a Heat championship team. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025

Venus is considered to be in detriment in Aries per traditional astrology — Aries’ impulse and desire for assertion clashes with Venus’ desire for harmony and cooperation, which can make relationships feel more competitive and overwhelmingly passionate than usual. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025

He was raised as a gospel vocalist singing four-part harmonies, so understanding how to share the vocal load sonorously was in his professional wheelhouse. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025

The Jonas Brothers helm the second verse, as the song builds into a spotlight for both groups’ vivid harmonies, conveying both hopefulness and determination as the song’s protagonist aims to convince a significant other to overcome past heartbreak to give love another shot. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2025

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