First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1voice
noun \ˈvȯis\
: the sounds that you make with your mouth and throat when you are speaking, singing, etc.
: the ability to speak
: the ability to sing
Full Definition of VOICE
1
a : sound produced by vertebrates by means of lungs, larynx, or syrinx; especially : sound so produced by human beings b (1) : musical sound produced by the vocal folds and resonated by the cavities of head and throat (2) : the power or ability to produce musical tones (3) : singer (4) : one of the melodic parts in a vocal or instrumental composition (5) : condition of the vocal organs with respect to production of musical tones (6) : the use of the voice (as in singing or acting) <studying voice> c : expiration of air with the vocal cords drawn close so as to vibrate audibly (as in uttering vowels and consonant sounds as \v\ or \z\) d : the faculty of utterance <lost my voice>
2
: a sound resembling or suggesting vocal utterance
3
: an instrument or medium of expression <the party became the voice of the workers>
4
a : wish, choice, or opinion openly or formally expressed <the voice of the people> b : right of expression; also : influential power
5
: distinction of form or a system of inflections of a verb to indicate the relation of the subject of the verb to the action which the verb expresses <active and passive voices>
— with one voice
: without dissent : unanimously
See voice defined for English-language learners
See voice defined for kids
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Origin of VOICE
Middle English, from Old French vois, from Latin voc-, vox; akin to Old High German giwahanen to mention, Greek epos word, speech, Sanskrit vāk voice
Other Music Terms
2voice
verb
: to express (something) in words
voicedvoic·ing
Full Definition of VOICE
transitive verb
1
: to express in words : utter <voice a complaint>
2
: to adjust for producing the proper musical sounds
3
: to pronounce (as a consonant) with voice
See voice defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of VOICE
15th century
Related to VOICE
Synonym Discussion of VOICE
express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels. express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces <expressed her feelings in music>. vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words <a tirade venting his frustration>. utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech <utter a groan>. voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words <an editorial voicing their concerns>. broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion <broached the subject of a divorce>. air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention <publicly airing their differences>.
VOICE Defined for Kids
1voice
noun \ˈvȯis\
Definition of VOICE for Kids
1
: sound that passes out of the mouth and throat of vertebrates and especially human beings and is produced mainly by the vibration of the vocal cords within the larynx (as in speaking or shouting)
2
: musical sounds produced by singing <We love listening to her beautiful voice.>
3
: the power to use the voice <I had a sore throat and lost my voice.>
4
: a sound similar to vocal sound <the cheerful voice of a cricket>
5
: the right to express a wish, choice, or opinion <Everyone has a voice in the decision.>
6
: a means of expression <The newspaper was the voice of optimism.>
Word Root of VOICE
The Latin word vox, meaning “voice,” and the related word vocāre, meaning “to call”, give us the root voc or vok. Words from the Latin vox or vocāre have something to do with the voice or with calling. Anything vocal is produced by the voice. A vocation is the work that someone is called to do as a job. To evoke is to call forth. To invoke is to call on for aid or protection. To provoke is to call forth another's anger. The word voice also has vox as its root.
2voice
verb
voicedvoic·ing
Definition of VOICE for Kids
: to express in words <I voiced a complaint.>
Medical Dictionary
voice
noun \ˈvȯis\
Medical Definition of VOICE
1
: sound produced by vertebrates by means of lungs, larynx, or syrinx; especially : sound so produced by human beings
2
: the faculty of utterance : speech
—voice transitive verb, voiced voic·ing
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