whole note

noun

: a musical note equal in time value to four quarter notes or two half notes see note illustration

Examples of whole note in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Remember that sforzando on the whole note attached to the eighth must be strict. Variety, 2 Mar. 2023 However, the music that I was handed was always a keyboard lead sheet or keyboard part, mostly whole note and half-note chords, big beautiful ones, and some key figures here and there. Ron Hart, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2017

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

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whole note was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near whole note

Cite this Entry

“Whole note.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whole%20note. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

whole note

noun
: a musical note equal to one measure of four beats
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