concerto

noun

con·​cer·​to kən-ˈcher-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce concerto (audio)
also -ˈchər-
plural concerti kən-ˈcher-(ˌ)tē How to pronounce concerto (audio)
also -ˈchər-
 or concertos
: a piece for one or more soloists and orchestra with three contrasting movements
a violin concerto

Examples of concerto 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.
As Ross immediately calls out, this mixture of a child’s game with a sense of politesse, set to a stately, period-appropriate Vivaldi concerto, absolutely does feel like a game that might have been played in an 18th-century court. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026 In the sunroom, a boy played concertos on the violin, signalling that this was not an ordinary weekday lunch. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026 This is meant not as a concerto in which the soloist stands as an individual against the masses but, rather, as a partner. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 Two new concertos were written specifically for SPCO musicians — oboist Cassie Pilgrim and bassist Zachary Cohen — and were developed through an extended workshop process. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for concerto

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from concerto concert

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of concerto was in 1710

Phrases Containing concerto

Browse Nearby Words

concertmistress
concerto
concerto grosso
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Cite this Entry

“Concerto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concerto. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

concerto

noun
con·​cer·​to kən-ˈchert-ō How to pronounce concerto (audio)
plural concerti -(ˌ)ē How to pronounce concerto (audio) or concertos
: a piece for one or more soloists and orchestra usually in three movements

More from Merriam-Webster on concerto

Nglish: Translation of concerto for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about concerto

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