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

With their distinctive three-part harmonies, Peter, Paul and Mary — with Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers — became one of the biggest and most commercially successful acts to emerge out of the Greenwich Village folk scene. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2025

These wellness journeys support a wide range of wellness goals like detoxification, relaxation, healthy weight loss, longevity, nutrition and fitness, emotional harmony, and even adventure. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Think of the swelling of your heart at an exquisite harmony, the knowing glance from another parent in an instant of unintended comedy, or the fleeting eye contact with a child scanning the crowd for reassurance. —Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025

Mastering Your Mindset: Is my mindset in harmony with my career aspirations? —Essence, 2 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