atonality

[ ey-toh-nal-i-tee ]
/ ˌeɪ toʊˈnæl ɪ ti /

noun Music.

the absence of key or tonal center.
an atonal principle or style of composition.

Origin of atonality

First recorded in 1920–25; atonal + -ity

Words nearby atonality

Example sentences from the Web for atonality

British Dictionary definitions for atonality

atonality
/ (ˌeɪtəʊˈnælɪtɪ, ˌæ-) /

noun

absence of or disregard for an established musical key in a composition
the principles of composition embodying this and providing a radical alternative to the diatonic system
Compare tonality