plural melodies
1
: a sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds
whilst all the winds with melody are ringing—
P. B. Shelley
P. B. Shelley2
: a rhythmic succession of single tones organized as an aesthetic whole
a hummable melody
the piper's fingers play the melody on a pipe called a chanter—Pat Cahill
Pat CahillExamples of melody in a Sentence
He wrote a piece that includes some beautiful melodies.
a composer known for his love of melody
He sang a few old melodies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Although only two original members are still performing with the band, musical pioneers Earth, Wind, and Fire still dazzle audiences after more than 50 years of soulful melodies.
—Pj Green
july 19, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025
Her voice—like honey, smooth and healing—wrapped itself around melodies with intention.
—Essence, 17 July 2025
The song became a folk revival standard with a new melody by Martin Hoffman, and this is the only recording Guthrie made of the song.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 16 July 2025
The Velvet Sundown’s melodies follow chord progressions, and their songs have rhythm sections that follow along with the bass and drums.
—Charlie Harding, Vulture, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for melody
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Pj Green
july 19, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2025
Her voice—like honey, smooth and healing—wrapped itself around melodies with intention.
—Essence, 17 July 2025
The song became a folk revival standard with a new melody by Martin Hoffman, and this is the only recording Guthrie made of the song.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 16 July 2025
The Velvet Sundown’s melodies follow chord progressions, and their songs have rhythm sections that follow along with the bass and drums.
—Charlie Harding, Vulture, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for melody
Cite this Entry
“Melody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melody. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
melody
noun
mel·o·dy
ˈmel-əd-ē 
plural melodies
1
: a pleasing succession of sounds
2
: a series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect
3
: the leading part in a musical composition involving harmony
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