alto UK /ˈæl.təʊ/US /ˈæl.toʊ/noun 3forms 2phrases 1 noun3 •A musical part or section higher than tenor and lower than soprano, formerly the part that performed a countermelody above the tenor or main melody. •A person or musical instrument that performs the alto part. •(informal) An alto saxophone. formsalti · altos Phrases with alto uno ab altoOne over all.