serialism

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noun

Music, especially from the 20th century, in which themes are based on a definite order of notes of an equal-tempered scale.

Similar
serial music
OriginGerman Reihenmusik →
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Meanings

nounserialism (usually uncountable, plural serialisms)

plural serialisms

  1. uncountableusuallyentertainmentMusic, especially from the 20th century, in which themes are based on a definite order of notes of an equal-tempered scale.

    Synonyms: serial music

Synonyms & antonyms

nounMusic, especially from the 20th century, in which themes are based on a definite order of notes of an equal-tempered scale.

Similar
serial music

More synonyms by meaning

noun20th century music that uses a definite order of notes as a thematic basis for a musical composition

Similar
serial music
Broader
music
Also see
serial music

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. GermanReihenmusik
  2. Englishserialism

From serial + -ism. Calque of the German Reihenmusik.

More words from German

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Czech serialismus
  • serialismusmusic
French sérialisme
  • sérialismemusic

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Israelism
Cite this entry
APA

serialism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/serialism

MLA

“serialism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/serialism. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “serialism,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/serialism.

Source: serialism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.