a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms
"The pianist performed a sonata featuring three distinct movements that contrasted in mood and structure."
A musical composition for one or a few instruments, one of which is frequently a piano, in three or four movements that vary in key and tempo.
"The pianist performed the second movement of Chopin's B-flat minor Sonata, showcasing its dramatic shift from a slow introduction to a fiery allegro."
In plain English: A sonata is a piece of music for one, two, or three instruments that usually has several different sections played in order.
"She listened to a beautiful piano sonata during her evening practice session."
Usage: Do not confuse "sonata" with the similar-sounding word "soprano," as they refer to entirely different concepts. This term specifically denotes a multi-movement instrumental work rather than a vocal range or solo piece.
The word sonata comes from the Italian verb meaning "to make a sound," which itself derives from the Latin term for producing noise. It entered English as a musical form, distinct but related to the modern word "sounded."