In musical terms, what is usually meant by the word "phrase"?

In musical terms, the word "phrase" typically refers to a musical segment that conveys a complete idea. This concept is comparable to a sentence in language, where a phrase contains a coherent thought or statement. Phrases are often made up of several measures and can stand alone or be part of a larger composition.

A complete idea is crucial as it gives the listener a sense of closure or a feeling of completion before moving on to a different idea, much like how a thought is expressed before transitioning to another thought when speaking. In the context of musical form, phrases are essential building blocks, helping to structure music in a way that is both understandable and enjoyable.

The other choices, while engaging with various aspects of music, do not accurately capture the standard definition of a musical phrase. For instance, lacking structure doesn't align with the definition, as phrases typically have an identifiable structure and purpose. A repeating section of a song refers more to form Section A or refrain rather than a standalone phrase. Lastly, a long, continuous sound does not convey the idea of a defined musical thought, as it may not fulfill the necessary qualities of a phrase in terms of coherence and completion.