Chord

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /kɔː(ɹ)d/
• US IPA: /kɔɹd/
• Homophones: cord

Origin

From Latin chorda ("cord"), from Ancient Greek (Doric) χορδά, (Ionic) χορδή (khordē, "string of gut, the string of a lyre")

Full definition of chord

Noun

1. (music)(music) A harmonic set of three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously.
• 1956, w, Crime out of Mind Chapter 14, 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. (geometry) A straight line between two points of a curve.
3. (engineering) A horizontal member of a truss.
4. (aeronautics) The distance between the leading and trailing edge of a wing, measured in the direction of the normal airflow.
5. (computing) A keyboard shortcut that involves two or more distinct keypresses, such as Ctrl+M followed by P.
• 2005, James Avery, Visual Studio hacks (page 99)Ctrl-K is the default first key for chords, but you can create chords using any keys that you want.
6. The string of a musical instrument.
7. (anatomy) A cord.

Derived terms

• mixed-interval chord
• strike a chord, touch a chord

Verb

1. (transitive) To write chords for.
• 2003, Dan Levenson, Clawhammer Banjo from ScratchThis 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. (music) To accord; to harmonize together.This note chords with that one.
3. (transitive) To provide with musical chords or strings; to string; to tune.
• DrydenWhen Jubal struck the chorded shell.
• BeecherEven the solitary old pine tree chords his harp.