classical

adjective

clas·​si·​cal ˈkla-si-kəl How to pronounce classical (audio)
1
2
a
: of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world and especially to its literature, art, architecture, or ideals
classical civilization
b
: versed in the classics
a classical scholar
3
a
: of or relating to music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries characterized by an emphasis on balance, clarity, and moderation
b
: of, relating to, or being music in the educated European tradition that includes such forms as art song, chamber music, opera, and symphony as distinguished from folk or popular music or jazz
4
b(1)
: of or relating to a form or system considered of first significance in earlier times
classical Mendelian genetics
(2)
: not involving relativity, wave mechanics, or quantum theory
classical physics
c
: conforming to a pattern of usage sanctioned by a body of literature rather than by everyday speech
5
: concerned with or giving instruction in the humanities, the fine arts, and the broad aspects of science
a classical curriculum

Examples of classical in a Sentence

the classical preparation of a ham for Easter a writer celebrated for his classical profiles of eminent Victorians
Recent Examples on the Web This idea that contemporary classical music and contemporary pop music could be in conversation with each other was a very new thing. Jasper Davidoff, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Dragon Ball drew more heavily on kung fu and the martial arts as well as the classical Chinese story of Journey to the West. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Suri, who kicks off a four-night residency at Detroit’s Cliff Bell’s jazz club Thursday, March 7, had been a lifelong classical pianist when a trip to New Orleans changed everything. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 There are eight different white noise settings, including rain and ocean sounds, as well as four classical music options. Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 7 Mar. 2024 Today, a road trip for classical music enthusiasts much closer to home. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 One day, in the classical department of El Duende, a Guatemala City record store, a DVD with a young cellist on the cover caught her eye: British prodigy Jacqueline du Pré, playing Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2024 The all-instrumental set blends elements of psychedelic jazz, classical, disco and pop. Xander Zellner, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2024 Although Fleischmann and Gehry were close friends, Gehry was viewed as far too radical for the conservative classical music establishment, which feared chain-link fences and whatnot. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'classical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin classicus

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of classical was in 1546

Dictionary Entries Near classical

Cite this Entry

“Classical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classical. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

classical

adjective
clas·​si·​cal ˈklas-i-kəl How to pronounce classical (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to the classics of literature or art
especially : of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman classics
classical studies
3
: of or relating to serious music in the European tradition
4
: of or relating to tradition : authentic
5
: concerned with a general study of the arts and sciences and not specializing in technical studies
a classical high school

More from Merriam-Webster on classical

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