quartet

noun

quar·​tet kwȯr-ˈtet How to pronounce quartet (audio)
variants or less commonly quartette
Synonyms of quartetnext
1
: a musical composition for four instruments or voices
2
: a group or set of four
especially : the performers of a quartet

Examples of quartet in a Sentence

He is a member of a jazz quartet. a string quartet by Beethoven The author wrote a quartet of novels about the same character.
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.
Of his quartet of 2026 releases, Primetime feels like the most natural place for his awards campaign to coalesce. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026 The Crown rarely confirms that one of its creations is a unique, so the fact that a quartet is going up for grabs is undoubtedly going to send watch lovers into a frenzy—not to mention that they’re done so with one of their most beloved watches. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2026 As the quartet’s planning proceeds, complete with a Lego model of the bank premises, Hamza’s wrangling for a larger share of the haul is relentless. — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026 Directed by Geum Dong-ho, the musical animation follows a singer-songwriter with the supernatural ability to see spirits who joins forces with a quartet of ghosts to form a musical troupe. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quartet

Word History

Etymology

Italian quartetto, from quarto fourth, from Latin quartus — more at quart

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quartet was in 1773

Phrases Containing quartet

Rhymes for quartet

See All Rhymes for quartet

Browse Nearby Words

quarter-zip
quartet
quartet table
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Cite this Entry

“Quartet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quartet. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

quartet

noun
quar·​tet
variants also quartette
kwȯr-ˈtet How to pronounce quartet (audio)
1
a
: a musical composition for four instruments or voices
b
: the performers of a quartet
2
: a group or set of four

More from Merriam-Webster on quartet

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for quartet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quartet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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