unison
[ yoo-nuh-suh n, -zuh n ]
/ ˈyu nə sən, -zən /
noun
coincidence in pitch of two or more musical tones, voices, etc.
the musical interval of a perfect prime.
the performance of musical parts at the same pitch or at the octave.
a sounding together in octaves, especially of male and female voices or of higher and lower instruments of the same class.
a process in which all elements behave in the same way at the same time; simultaneous or synchronous parallel action: to march in unison.
Idioms for unison
in unison,
in perfect accord; corresponding exactly: My feelings on the subject are in unison with yours.
Origin of unison
OTHER WORDS FROM unison
non·u·ni·son, nounWords nearby unison
British Dictionary definitions for in unison (1 of 2)
unison
/ (ˈjuːnɪsən, -zən) /
noun
music
- the interval between two sounds of identical pitch
- (modifier) played or sung at the same pitchunison singing
complete agreement; harmony (esp in the phrase in unison)
Derived forms of unison
unisonous, unisonal or unisonant, adjectiveWord Origin for unison
C16: from Late Latin
ūnisonus, from
uni- +
sonus sound
British Dictionary definitions for in unison (2 of 2)
UNISON
/ (ˈjuːnɪsən) /
noun
(in Britain) a trade union representing local government, health care, and other workers: formed in 1993 by the amalgamation of COHSE, NALGO, and NUPE
Cultural definitions for in unison
unison
Playing or singing the same musical notes, or notes separated from each other by one or several octaves. Musicians who perform in unison are not playing or singing chords.
Idioms and Phrases with in unison
in unison
In complete agreement, harmonizing exactly. For example, Their opinion was in unison with ours. [Early 1800s]
Saying the same thing at the same time, simultaneously, as in The whole class answered in unison. [Late 1800s] Both usages allude to the unison of music, a single identical pitch.