quartet

noun

quar·​tet kwȯr-ˈtet 

variants or less commonly quartette

1

: a musical composition for four instruments or voices

2

: a group or set of four

especially : the performers of a quartet

Examples of quartet in a Sentence

He is a member of a jazz quartet.

a string quartet by Beethoven

The author wrote a quartet of novels about the same character.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scott is referring to the quartet of Beatles biopics that will be directed by Sam Mendes for Sony Pictures. —Gil MacIas, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Lipton exactly titrates condescension and concern as the front man for a robot quartet performing to a humanity that mistrusts its own machines. —The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024

The show has a nostalgic flair, with a swinging vocal quartet and energetic dancers on the International Street Bandstand. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 28 Nov. 2024

The quartet of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal will remain with the show. —Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian quartetto, from quarto fourth, from Latin quartus — more at quart

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quartet

• barbershop quartet
• string quartet

Kids Definition

quartet

noun

quar·​tet

variants also quartette

kwȯr-ˈtet 

1

a

: a musical composition for four instruments or voices

b

: the performers of a quartet

2

: a group or set of four