Definition & Meaning of "dissonance"

What is "dissonance"?

Dissonance in music refers to a combination of notes that creates a sense of tension or unrest. These notes clash with each other in a way that feels unstable or unresolved. Dissonance often contrasts with consonance, which is a combination of notes that sound harmonious and pleasant together. Dissonant intervals and chords are used to create a sense of drama, tension, or conflict in music, and they usually resolve to consonant intervals to create a feeling of resolution or rest.