English Reference

Word

philharmonic

Phoneticsphil·har·mon·ic

US/ˌfɪɫˌhɑɹˈmɑnɪk/

UK/fˌɪlhɑːmˈɒnɪk/

Definition

n. a large group of musicians who play classical music together. It is another name for a symphony orchestra.

n. a large-scale musical ensemble, typically a symphony orchestra, dedicated to the performance of classical works. Capitalised when part of a specific organisation name.

Examples

“The local philharmonic performs every Friday night.”

“After years of practice, the young violinist finally earned a seat in the city's prestigious philharmonic.”

“The philharmonic's interpretation of the symphony was praised for its emotional depth and the seamless integration of the brass and woodwind sections.”

Examples

simple

“The local philharmonic performs every Friday night.”

contextual

“After years of practice, the young violinist finally earned a seat in the city's prestigious philharmonic.”

complex

“The philharmonic's interpretation of the symphony was praised for its emotional depth and the seamless integration of the brass and woodwind sections.”

Usage

Often functions as a proper noun when part of a specific orchestra's name.

Real-World Examples

Common in culture writing

“Is the Berlin Philharmonic the best orchestra in the world ?”
The Guardian · 3 Sept 2026
“Written for New York Philharmonic principal clarinet Anthony McGill, the work’s European premiere formed the centrepiece of a lively concert conducted with visible enthusiasm by Ryan Bancroft.”
The Guardian · 18 Aug 2026

Domain

Music

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference