Explain what a "chord" is in music.

A chord in music is defined as a combination of three or more notes played or sung simultaneously. This definition encompasses a wide variety of musical structures and harmonies, allowing for rich textures in a piece of music. Chords are fundamental to music composition, creating harmony that supports melodies and enhances the overall emotional impact of a song.

The specificity of requiring three or more notes distinguishes chords from other musical elements, such as intervals or dyads, which involve fewer notes. In practice, containing at least three notes means that chords can produce a fuller sound and contribute to complex harmonic progressions, which are essential in genres ranging from classical to jazz to pop music.