Main Entry:

bal·lade

Pronunciation:

\bə-ˈläd, ba-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English balade, from Middle French, ballad, ballade

Date:

14th century

1 : a fixed verse form consisting usually of three stanzas with recurrent rhymes, an envoi, and an identical refrain for each part 2 : a musical composition usually for piano suggesting the epic ballad