music therapy
noun
: therapy based on engagement in musical activities : the therapeutic use of music (as to reduce anxiety, improve cognitive functioning, promote physical rehabilitation, or enhance interpersonal communication) that typically involves listening to music, singing, playing musical instruments, or composing music
In 1992, the National Institutes of Health created an Office of Alternative Medicine … to evaluate therapies ranging from homeopathy and music therapy to acupuncture.—
Corinna Wu
Corinna Wu
music therapist
noun
plural music therapists
Music therapists have found that post-operative patients who listen to soothing music require less pain medication.
—Dave Tianen
Dave Tianen
Examples of music therapy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Arizona’s Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, does not generally list music therapy as a standalone reimbursable service yet.
—Reylee Billingsley, AZCentral.com, 7 Feb. 2026
In some respects, a person might choose to use music therapy on their own, though I am mainly focused in this discussion on music therapy that is part of an overarching therapeutic plan being overseen by a professional clinician.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The comp is a fundraiser for Noro Music Therapy, with entry fees raising over A$2.5 million since 2009 to fund life-changing music therapy services.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 21 Jan. 2026
In music therapy, participants collaborate to write lyrics, build beats, and create songs together.
—Nicole Nielsen, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for music therapy
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Reylee Billingsley, AZCentral.com, 7 Feb. 2026
In some respects, a person might choose to use music therapy on their own, though I am mainly focused in this discussion on music therapy that is part of an overarching therapeutic plan being overseen by a professional clinician.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
The comp is a fundraiser for Noro Music Therapy, with entry fees raising over A$2.5 million since 2009 to fund life-changing music therapy services.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 21 Jan. 2026
In music therapy, participants collaborate to write lyrics, build beats, and create songs together.
—Nicole Nielsen, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for music therapy
Cite this Entry
“Music therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/music%20therapy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
music therapy
noun
mu·sic therapy
ˈmyü-zik- 
: therapy based on engagement in musical activities : the therapeutic use of music (as to reduce anxiety, improve cognitive functioning, promote physical rehabilitation, or enhance interpersonal communication) that typically involves listening to music, singing, playing musical instruments, or composing music
music therapist
noun
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