What does "chord" mean?
A harmonic set of three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously.
Chord
/kɔɹd/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A harmonic set of three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously.
- Grammar: chord is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: accompany, accord, air line, airline.
- Useful contrasts: arcs, monophony, tangent.
- Usage evidence: That's an odd note grouping for that chord. Try spreading it out over two octaves instead of one.
How to use "chord"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "chord" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "chord" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "chord" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "chord" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "chord" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accompany" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "chord", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A harmonic set of three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously.
"He struck the opening chords of the passage; but this time Irene's voice was silent. Victor stopped in the middle of an arpeggio."
- 2 a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together wordnet
- 3 A line segment between two points of a curve.
"The simplest method of calculating the radius of a curve in situ is to measure the versine; in railway practice this is done by extending a tape 66 ft. (1 ch.) long in a straight line or chord between two points on the periphery of a curve, and then measuring the maximum distance of the rail from the chord at the centre of the 66 ft. The radius in chains is found by dividing the versine in inches into 99. Thus if a versine measures 3 in., the radius will be 33 ch."
- 4 a straight line connecting two points on a curve wordnet
- 5 A horizontal member of a truss.
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 A horizontal member of a truss.; A section of subsidiary railway track that interconnects two primary tracks that cross at different levels, to permit traffic to flow between them.
- 7 The distance between the leading and trailing edge of a wing, measured in the direction of the normal airflow.
- 8 An imaginary line from the luff of a sail to its leech.
- 9 A keyboard shortcut that involves two or more distinct keypresses, such as Ctrl+M followed by P.
"Ctrl-K is the default first key for chords, but you can create chords using any keys that you want."
- 10 The string of a musical instrument.
"Instruments that made melodious Chime Was heard, of Harp and Organ; and who mov'd Their Stops and Chords was seen"
- 11 A cord.
- 12 An edge that is not part of a cycle but connects two vertices of the cycle.
Verb
- 1 To write chords for. transitive
"This chording technique works well for learning any tune, but this is the only tune of the set that I will write out completely as a chorded version."
- 2 bring into consonance, harmony, or accord while making music or singing wordnet
- 3 To accord; to harmonize together.
"This note chords with that one."
- 4 play chords on (a stringed instrument) wordnet
- 5 To provide with musical chords or strings; to string; to tune. transitive
"When Jubal struck the chorded shell."
Example
"That's an odd note grouping for that chord. Try spreading it out over two octaves instead of one."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "chord"?
Common synonyms include: accompany, accord, air line, airline, arpeggio, assonate.
How do you use "chord" in a sentence?
That's an odd note grouping for that chord. Try spreading it out over two octaves instead of one.
How do you pronounce "chord"?
Pronounced /kɔɹd/.
Etymology
Variant of cord, with spelling alteration due to Latin chorda (“cord”), ultimately from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, “string of gut, the string of a lyre”). No relation to French accord (“chord”) and its derivations. Doublet of cuerda.