What term refers to a musical phrase that is often four measures long?

The term that refers to a musical phrase that is often four measures long is “phrase.” In music theory, a phrase is a complete musical thought, much like a sentence in language, and it typically spans anywhere from two to eight measures. However, it is common for a phrase to consist of four measures, which provides a balanced and symmetrical structure. This length allows for the establishment of a musical idea that can be clearly expressed and then potentially followed by a contrasting or complementary musical idea.

The other terms mentioned have distinct meanings within the context of music. A stanza generally refers to a group of lines or verses in a song, which may contain multiple phrases but does not specify a length in terms of measures. A verse typically functions as a section in songs, often containing lyrical content that can vary in length, whereas a phrase is more strictly defined by its musical structure. Finally, a measure defines a segment of time in music, dictated by a specific number of beats, but does not encapsulate the idea of a complete musical thought like a phrase does.