song

song

noun \ˈsȯŋ\

Definition of SONG

1

: the act or art of singing

2

: poetical composition

3

a : a short musical composition of words and music

b : a collection of such compositions

4

: a distinctive or characteristic sound or series of sounds (as of a bird, insect, or whale)

5

a : a melody for a lyric poem or ballad

b : a poem easily set to music

6

a : a habitual or characteristic manner

b : a violent, abusive, or noisy reaction <put up quite a song>

7

: a small amount <sold for a song>

— song·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of SONG

1. He sang a love song.
2. The song was playing on the radio.
3. The event was celebrated in song by a folk group.
4. I could hear the song of a sparrow.

Origin of SONG

Middle English, from Old English sang; akin to Old English singan to sing

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SONG

Synonyms

ballad, ditty, jingle, lay, lyric, vocal

Antonyms

big buck(s), boodle, bundle, fortune, king's ransom, megabuck(s), mint, wad

Related Words

anthem, cantata, canticle, carol, chorale, hymn, noel, psalm, spiritual; dirge, lament, requiem, threnody; hallelujah, paean; aria, art song, barcarole (or barcarolle), blues, chanson, chant, chantey (or chanty or shanty), chorus, croon, descant (also discant), folk song, glee, lullaby, madrigal, motet, part-song, pop, rocker, round, roundelay, serenade, standard; drinking song, fight song; torch song; cover, medley, remix

Near Antonyms

bankroll, capital, funds, means, wherewithal; opulence, pelf, riches, treasure, wealth; heap, pile, pot; bonanza, mine, treasure trove, treasury

Rhymes with SONG

bong, dong, gong, long, prong, strong, thong, throng, tong, wrong

song

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Short and usually simple piece of music for voice, with or without instrumental accompaniment. Folk songs—traditional songs without a known composer transmitted orally rather than in written form—have existed for millennia but have left few traces in ancient sources. Virtually all known preliterate societies have a repertory of songs. Folk songs often accompany religious ceremonies, dancing, labour, or courting; they may tell stories or express emotions; the music follows obvious conventions and is often repetitive. Songs written by a particular composer or poet generally are more sophisticated and are not attached to activities. In the West the continuous tradition of secular art songs began with the troubadours, trouvères, and minnesingers of the 12th–13th centuries. Polyphonic songs, originating in the motet, began to appear in the 13th century. Composers of the 14th century produced a great body of polyphonic songs in the formes fixes. Later the Italian madrigal became the most distinguished genre. Notated accompaniments to solo songs appeared in the 16th century. The Romantic movement made the 19th century a golden age for the art song, notably the German lied. In the 20th century the popular song displaced the more cultivated art song, and popular music is today synonymous with popular song.