# unison

/ˈjunəsən/ (US) · /jˈuːnɪsən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unison
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the act of doing or saying something at the exact same time as other people. In music, it means everyone sings or plays the same note together.

For teachers: the simultaneous performance of action or utterance of words. In a musical context, refers to the sounding of the same pitch or its octave by multiple voices or instruments.

## Examples

- The crowd shouted their approval in unison.
- The dancers moved in perfect unison, making the complex choreography look effortless to the audience.
- While the choir usually performs in four-part harmony, they sang the final verse in unison to create a powerful, singular wall of sound that filled the cathedral.

## Usage notes

- Almost always used in the prepositional phrase 'in unison'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.