Definition

A musical instrument that has one string stretched over a box, used to explore musical sounds and their relationships.

Example

The musician used a monochord to demonstrate the different pitches of sound.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a monochord before?

No, I haven't. What is it exactly?

It's an instrument with just one string, used to study musical tones.

That sounds interesting! I’d love to hear how it sounds.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Monochord → It is formed from "mono-" (meaning one) and "chord" (from Greek "chordē", meaning string). The word "monochord" refers to a musical instrument with a single string, illustrating the concept of one string producing sound.

Memory Tip

Think of 'mono-' meaning one, and 'chord' referring to a string — a monochord is an instrument with just one string.

Visually Confused Words