Music. A musical composition for one instrument, esp. one designed to afford practice to a learner; (also) a piece of music, a musical…

An exercise for the voice, in which the sol-fa syllables are employed; †also transferred, an exercise for a musical instrument.

Music. A short piece written as an exercise to improve or demonstrate a particular aspect of a performer's technique; an étude.

A short piece written (esp. for the piano) as an exercise to improve or demonstrate a particular aspect of a performer's technique; = study, n. 11.

Music. In particularized use (chiefly plural): Any scale taken as a subject of instruction or practice.