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.
The enormous record stores—Tower, Virgin, FYE—with their endless rows of operas and concertos, have largely disappeared. David Denby, New Yorker, 20 July 2025 Both — especially the Michael Haydn concerto and its virtuosic cadenzas, devised by Batallán himself — gave the trumpeter a chance to show off his dazzling upper register. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is like a symphony — a gorgeous classical concerto where an electric guitar occasionally cuts in to shred an off-putting, yet surprisingly sick riff. Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025 That made for an elegant yet reliable accompaniment in these concertos. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Concerto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concerto. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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

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