对位法是在音乐创作中使两条或者更多条相互独立的旋律同时发声并且彼此融洽的技术。

对位法的英文名称Counterpoint来源于拉丁文punctus contra punctum，意为“音符对音符”。对位法并不是指单独的音符之间的和弦，而是指旋律之间的相互作用。它既可以是用两条或两条以上的旋律交织成和弦，也可以是以多组和弦交织表现出旋律。对位与和声的特点刚好相反，和声追求的是纵向的发展，除了一条主要的声部外，其他的声部在自己的进行中以特定的和声结构辅助这条主要的声部；对位追求的则是横向的发展，各个声部各不相同，但又要互相和谐不冲突。

In music, counterpoint is the relationship between voices that are harmonically interdependent (polyphony) yet independent in rhythm and contour. It has been most commonly identified in classical music, strongly developing during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period, especially in Baroque music. The term originates from the Latin punctus contra punctum meaning "point against point".