Definition

1. Noun:

   • A group of people who sing together, typically in a church or other religious setting: A choir is an organized ensemble of singers, often performing sacred music.
   • The part of a church where such a group sits: The choir is the area of a church, often in the chancel, reserved for the singers.
   • A group of similar musical instruments played together: In a broader sense, a choir can refer to a section of similar instruments in an orchestra (e.g., a brass choir).

2. Verb:

   • To sing in a choir: The act of singing as part of a choral group.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She sings in the church choir every Sunday.
  • The choir stood in the historic wooden stalls.
  • The piece features a beautiful dialogue between the string choir and the woodwinds.

• Verb:

  • He has choired at the cathedral for over twenty years.

Advanced Usage

• "To preach to the choir": To try to persuade people who already agree with you. This idiom uses "choir" metaphorically.
  • Arguing for environmental protection here is just preaching to the choir.

Variants and Related Words

• Choral (adj): Relating to or sung by a choir.
  • They performed a choral masterpiece.
• Chorister (n): A member of a choir, especially a boy singer.
  • The young chorister had a clear, high voice.

Synonyms

• Chorus: A large group of singers or a refrain in a song. (Note: A "chorus" can be secular and is often part of a larger work like an opera or musical, while a "choir" is often a standalone group, typically associated with sacred music.)
• Ensemble: A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.

Phrasal Verbs

(Not commonly applicable for this word.)

Related Idioms

• "Preach to the choir": As defined in Advanced Usage.

Noun

1. the area occupied by singers; the part of the chancel between sanctuary and nave
2. a family of similar musical instrument playing together
3. a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony

Verb

1. sing in a choir