The word vocal comes from the Latin vocalis ("sounding, sonorous, or speaking") and its root meaning of "voice." As a noun, it refers to a section of music that's sung, rather than played on an instrument: "The vocals in that song were beautiful, but the guitar was out of tune."
There are 25 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word vocal, ten of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling the human voice or speech. (anatomy) Used in the production of speech sounds. (music) Relating to, composed or arranged for, or sung by the human voice. (phonetics) Synonym of vocalic. The protesters were very vocal in their message to the mayor.
Define vocal. vocal synonyms, vocal pronunciation, vocal translation, English dictionary definition of vocal. adj. 1. Of or relating to the production of sound through the mouth: the vertebrate vocal organs; a vocal defect.
Vocal folds (open) Vocal folds (speaking) The vocal cords, also known as vocal folds, are folds of throat tissues that are key in creating sounds through vocalization. The length of the vocal cords affects the pitch of voice, similar to a violin string. Open when breathing and vibrating for speech or singing, the folds are controlled via the recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve. They ...
vo•cal /ˈvoʊkəl/ adj. of, relating to, or produced with the voice: the vocal sounds. Music and Dance intended for singing: vocal music. willing to express oneself in words, esp. in many words or insistently; outspoken: a vocal advocate of reform. n. [countable] Phonetics a vocal sound. Music and Dance Music and Dance a musical piece for a ...