Which term refers to music containing a single melodic line without accompaniment?

The term that refers to music containing a single melodic line without accompaniment is monophony. In a monophonic texture, there is only one musical line being played or sung, which means that everyone is performing the same melody at the same time, without any additional harmonies or chords. This style of music is often found in early chant traditions and folk music, where the focus is solely on the melody itself.

Monophony emphasizes the purity and clarity of a single line, allowing the listener to appreciate the intricacies of the melody without the complexity of harmonies or counterpoint. This is distinct from other textures like polyphony, which involves multiple independent melodies occurring simultaneously, and homophony, which features one primary melody accompanied by chords or harmonizing lines. Understanding the characteristics of different musical textures is essential for analyzing and appreciating various styles of music throughout history.