classical
adjective
clas·si·cal
ˈkla-si-kəl 
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
a
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
Arguably the greatest classical actor of his generation, McKellen’s command of the stage, of language and also, crucially, of silence hold the audience rapt, especially in gleefully self-aggrandizing soliloquies.
—
David Benedict, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
But that experiment was stuck in the classical realm.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
The sprawling home, designed by Paul Marchese, a former chief architect of the original World Trade Center, features classical elements such as decorative quoins, a portico entry, and roof balusters.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024
Its limitless ambition and plurality of sounds—from jazz and blues to psychedelia, classical and folk—find fertile ground in the electricity of stage performances.
—Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 11 Apr. 2024
Audiences this weekend have the chance to catch a free dance performance featuring dancers from Texas Ballet Theater and to hear a mix of classical and new music from one of the state’s oldest choral groups.
—James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024
The girls learn a little bit of everything – ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, classical, tap, West African - and must adhere to Young-Byron’s high standards, which include completion of an intense, 8-week summer conditioning course, staying out of trouble and maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The eponymous labyrinth of ancient Greek mythology—the one with the ferocious Minotaur in its depths—is, in descriptions by classical authors, pretty obviously a maze.
—Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024
The singer loves an ensemble cast, and Black women working in American classical music represent an especially rich reservoir of talent — especially undertapped since the pandemic.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
David Benedict, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
But that experiment was stuck in the classical realm.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
The sprawling home, designed by Paul Marchese, a former chief architect of the original World Trade Center, features classical elements such as decorative quoins, a portico entry, and roof balusters.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024
Its limitless ambition and plurality of sounds—from jazz and blues to psychedelia, classical and folk—find fertile ground in the electricity of stage performances.
—Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 11 Apr. 2024
Audiences this weekend have the chance to catch a free dance performance featuring dancers from Texas Ballet Theater and to hear a mix of classical and new music from one of the state’s oldest choral groups.
—James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024
The girls learn a little bit of everything – ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, classical, tap, West African - and must adhere to Young-Byron’s high standards, which include completion of an intense, 8-week summer conditioning course, staying out of trouble and maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The eponymous labyrinth of ancient Greek mythology—the one with the ferocious Minotaur in its depths—is, in descriptions by classical authors, pretty obviously a maze.
—Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024
The singer loves an ensemble cast, and Black women working in American classical music represent an especially rich reservoir of talent — especially undertapped since the pandemic.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near classical
Cite this Entry
“Classical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classical. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
classical
adjective
clas·si·cal
ˈklas-i-kəl
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share