aria

[ahr-ee-uh, air-ee-uh] /ˈɑr i ə, ˈɛər i ə/
noun
1.
an air or melody.
2.
an elaborate melody sung solo with accompaniment, as in an opera or oratorio.
Origin
1735-45; < Italian; see air1
Can be confused
area, aria.

Aria

[ahr-ee-uh, uh-rahy-uh] /ˈɑr i ə, əˈraɪ ə/
noun, Classical Mythology
1.
a nymph, the mother of Miletus, by Apollo.

-aria

1.
a suffix occurring in scientific terms of Latin origin, especially in names of biological genera and groups:
filaria.
Origin
< Latin: feminine singular or neuter plural of -ārius -ary
British Dictionary definitions for aria

aria

/ˈɑːrɪə/
noun
1.
an elaborate accompanied song for solo voice from a cantata, opera, or oratorio See also da capo
Word Origin
C18: from Italian: tune, air
Word Origin and History for aria
n.

from Italian aria, literally "air" (see air (n.1)).

aria in Culture
aria [(ahr-ee-uh)]

A piece of music for one voice (or occasionally two voices) in an opera, oratorio, or cantata. In contrast with recitative singing, arias are melodious; in contrast with ordinary songs, arias are usually elaborate.

Note: Some composers, such as Richard Wagner, have felt that arias interrupt the action of opera too much and hence have written operas without them.
Related Abbreviations for aria

ARIA

advanced range instrumented aircraft