free jazz

noun

: free-form jazz marked especially by an abandonment of preset chord progression and a lack of melodic pattern

Examples of free jazz in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The event remains the world's largest free jazz festival. — Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 25 Mar. 2026 From his early days as a teen phenom to his more measured solo work and experimentation with free jazz, Rollins was revered for his improvisational skill. — CBS News, 26 May 2026 From his early days as a teen phenom to his more measured solo work and experimentation with free jazz, Rollins was revered for his improvisational skill. — ABC News, 25 May 2026 Labor Day weekend features the Detroit Jazz Festival, the world's largest free jazz festival. — Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for free jazz

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free jazz was in 1960

Rhymes for free jazz

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Browse Nearby Words

freeing port
free jazz
free kick
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Cite this Entry

“Free jazz.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20jazz. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on free jazz

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about free jazz

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