unison

1 of 2

noun

uni·​son ˈyü-nə-sən 

-nə-zən

1

a

: identity in musical pitch

specifically : the interval of a perfect prime

b

: the state of being so tuned or sounded

c

: the writing, playing, or singing of parts in a musical passage at the same pitch or in octaves

2

: a harmonious agreement or union : concord

unison

2 of 2

adjective

1

: identical in musical pitch

unison singing

a unison passage

accompanied by unison strings

2

: producing pitches ordinarily associated with the keys played

one of the organ's unison stops

Phrases

in unison

1

: in perfect agreement : so as to harmonize exactly

a class reciting in unison

2

: at the same time : simultaneously

Did you know?

This word usually appears in the phrase "in unison", which means "together, at the same time" or "at the same musical pitch". So an excited crowd responding to a speaker may shout in unison, and a group of demonstrators may chant in unison. The old church music called Gregorian chant was written to be sung in unison, with no harmonizing voices, and kindergarten kids always sing in unison (at least when they can all find the same pitch). In a similar way, an aerobics class moves in unison following the instructor, and a group or even a whole town may work in unison when everyone agrees on a common goal.

Synonyms

Noun

• accord
• agreement
• concurrence
• concurrency
• consensus
• unanimity

Examples of unison in a Sentence

Noun

the members of the committee are in unison on this point

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Major indices fell in unison as investors reassessed the economic outlook in light of potential policy shifts. —Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, 16 Nov. 2024

Teams from Product, HR, Legal, and Security work in unison, focusing on aligning technology use with company mission and values rather than developing technology for its own sake. —Peter High, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

No matter how fervently protesters believe these lies, wave them on signs and chant them in unison, such beliefs fail the simplest of tests: the test of truth. —Efrem Sigel, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English unisoun, from Middle French unisson, from Medieval Latin unisonus having the same sound, from Latin uni- + sonus sound — more at sound entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unison

• work in unison

Kids Definition

unison

noun

uni·​son ˈyü-nə-sən 

-zən

1

: sameness of musical pitch

2

: the condition of being tuned or sounded at the same pitch or at an octave

sing in unison rather than in harmony

3

: exact agreement : accord

all are in unison on the next move

Etymology

Noun

from early French unisson "having the same musical pitch," from Latin unisonus "having the same sound," from uni- "one" (from unus "one") and sonus "a sound" — related to sound entry 3, unite