1
: air, melody, tune
specifically : an accompanied, elaborate melody sung (as in an opera) by a single voice
enjoyed the soprano's romantic aria
2
: a striking solo performance (as in a movie)
… Russell Crowe's performance in Gladiator was all about the physical stuff—it was a brute-force aria of fighting and flexing and unleashing hell … Jeff Gordinier
3
: a written or spoken passage or text likened to a dramatic or emotional operatic solo
… a plainspoken but moving aria on the joys of rural living … Lauren Collins

Examples of aria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During her time at RADA, Erivo played Jenny, who sang the operatic aria in the song Getting Married Today from the Stephen Sondheim musical, Company. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024 According to the station’s records, the aria was performed on WEVD in 1963, 1964 and 1965. Jon Kalish, Sun Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024 Popular pop and country songs blaring over the sound system were punctuated by an Italian opera aria, and finally the warm-up speakers, all local politicians, made their dutiful speeches. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 That’s the equivalent of the white nightgown in which so many female opera protagonists sing their dying arias just before the final curtain. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aria 

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, atmospheric air, modification of Latin aer

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aria was in 1723

Dictionary Entries Near aria

Cite this Entry

“Aria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aria. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

: a song in an opera sung by a single voice

Geographical Definition

Aria

geographical name

1
an eastern province of the ancient Persian Empire; district now in northwestern Afghanistan and eastern Iran
2
see herat

More from Merriam-Webster on aria

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