Definition
The general feeling or atmosphere in a place or group, or a person's mood at a particular time.
Example
Die Stimmung auf der Party war wirklich gut.
Show translation
The atmosphere at the party was really great.
Etymology
From Middle High German *stimme* ("voice, sound"), related to *stimmen* ("to tune, to be in accord"). The sense shifted from the tuning of a musical instrument — bringing it into harmony — to the collective "tone" of a room or inner feeling. Cognate with English "stem" in the sense of origin/voice, and with *Stimme* (voice) still alive in modern German.
Cultural note
Germans use *Stimmung* very broadly — it covers both personal mood ("Ich bin in guter Stimmung" = I'm in a good mood) and collective atmosphere ("Die Stimmung im Stadion war elektrisierend"). A key compound is *Volksstimmung* (public mood/sentiment), common in political reporting. Be careful not to confuse it with *Gefühl* (feeling/sensation), which is more internal and personal. The verb *stimmen* also means "to be correct" (Das stimmt! = That's right!), so the word family is unusually versatile.