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

He’s credited with 722 individual works, including symphonies, sonatas, and choral music — creations that pushed the boundaries of composition and performance, and helped usher in the Romantic era of music. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 June 2024

Recorder player Trevor Stewart will be highlighted in a concerto gross by Vivaldi and a sonata by Telemann. —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2024

Uchida invited old friends, the Brentano String Quartet (Uchida once made a recording of Mozart sonatas for keyboard and violin with its leader, Mark Steinberg). —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024

The musicians will perform a sonata for violin and piano, a string quartet, and a Schumann piano quintet. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 7 June 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