sonata

noun

so·​na·​ta sə-ˈnä-tə 

: an instrumental musical composition typically of three or four movements in contrasting forms and keys

Examples of sonata in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two of Beethoven’s most philosophical, probing sonatas frame a suite of jazz, ragtime, and popular song — from Joplin to Nina Simone … Charles Ives didn’t just want to mix popular and classical music. —Jane Levere, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Tchaikovsky’s symphonic ambitions bridle against their keyboard constraints in his early C-sharp sonata; Trifonov tapped both fluidity and clarity out of the bloat. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Nov. 2024

In the Franck sonata, Malofeev staked out rich, dense chords for Dueñas to twirl through. —Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024

The end result might not be like a Beethoven sonata. —John Kounios, Scientific American, 30 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from sonare to sound, from Latin

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sonata

• sonata form

Kids Definition

sonata

noun

so·​na·​ta sə-ˈnät-ə 

: a piece of music written for instruments and usually having three or four main parts in different styles and different keys

Medical Definition

Sonata

trademark

So·​na·​ta sō-ˈnä-tə 

—used for a preparation of zaleplon