1
a
: a pleasing succession of musical tones : melody
b
: a dominant theme
2
: correct musical pitch or consonance
—used chiefly in the phrases in tune and out of tune
3
5
a
: manner of utterance : intonation
specifically
: phonetic modulation
b
archaic
: quality of sound : tone
tuned; tuning
1
: to adjust in musical pitch or cause to be in tune
tuned her guitar
2
a
: to bring into harmony : attune
b
: to adjust for precise functioning
—often used with up
tune up an engine
c
: to make more precise, intense, or effective
3
: to adjust with respect to resonance at a particular frequency: such as
a
: to adjust (a radio or television receiver) to respond to waves of a particular frequency
—often used with in
b
: to establish radio contact with
tune in a directional beacon
4
: to adjust the frequency of the output of (a device) to a chosen frequency or range of frequencies
also
: to alter the frequency of (radiation)
1
: to become attuned
2
: to adjust a radio or television receiver to respond to waves of a particular frequency
Examples of tune in a Sentence
Noun
hummed a little tune while I sorted the laundry
your negative assessment of the restaurant seems to be in tune with the opinions of the critics
Verb
The piano needs to be tuned.
We tuned our bikes before the road trip.
The mechanic tuned the engine.
The copilot tuned the radio to hear the message.
Recent Examples on the Web
Li Jun, WWD, 15 Dec. 2024
The tune enters the race at No. 38, giving the band yet another top 40 hit on the list of the songs that reach the largest audience via radio stations that focus on harder styles of rock music.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The low, squelching funk of the beat and Richman’s high falsetto were tuned to such a uniquely perfect frequency that everyone was happy to hear them, again and again, and again.
—Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tune 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The fashion industry in China is making strides to sync with international standards, staying in tune with its global counterparts.
—Li Jun, WWD, 15 Dec. 2024
The tune enters the race at No. 38, giving the band yet another top 40 hit on the list of the songs that reach the largest audience via radio stations that focus on harder styles of rock music.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
In general, the AI makers have tuned their generative AI to be as appealing as possible since this tends to get more users to use their wares, see my discussion at the link here.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The low, squelching funk of the beat and Richman’s high falsetto were tuned to such a uniquely perfect frequency that everyone was happy to hear them, again and again, and again.
—Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tune
Dictionary Entries Near tune
Cite this Entry
“Tune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tune. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tune
1 of 2 noun1
: a succession of pleasing musical tones : melody
2
: correct musical pitch or consonance
the piano was not in tune
3
: agreement sense 1b, harmony
in tune with the times
4
: general attitude
changed their tune after reading the report
tune
2 of 2 verb
tuned; tuning
1
: to adjust in musical pitch
tuned my guitar
the orchestra was tuning up
2
: to come or bring into harmony
3
: to adjust a radio or television so that it receives clearly
—often used with in
4
: to put (as an engine) in good working order
—often used with up
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share