songbook

noun

song·​book ˈsȯŋ-ˌbu̇k How to pronounce songbook (audio)
: a collection of songs
specifically : a book containing vocal music (such as hymns)

Examples of songbook in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web He and his wife were known for their songbook of American standards at a time when rock and roll was becoming more popular. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 February’s installment, the second of four parts, dives into the smoldering songbooks of Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, and Betty Carter, with vocalists Rhonda Peters, Denise Anya, Darlene Tellis, and Carol Mandon handling the duties (7 p.m. Thursday, Feb 22 at the Crocker. Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 28 Jan. 2024 And what motivated Stewart to revisit the band’s songbook on tour? Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024 My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall, a forthcoming tribute record to the songwriter and novelist that features a generation of younger artists like Allison Russell and Adia Victoria interpreting Randall’s songbook. Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024 Pushing past her fear, Fitzgerald delivered a performance that helped launch her iconic career, which spanned the 20th century, shaped the American songbook, and established Fitzgerald as one of the preeminent singers of the modern era. Joan Gaylord, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Feb. 2024 Contrary to Kinney's self-assessment, there are so many noted admirers of his songbook that four four full-length tribute albums are planned. Journal Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2024 But there, Charles was led to Nashville in the process of looking for a different classic songbook to cover. Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Feb. 2024 Looking dapper in his kilt, Roger passes out some old songbooks and teaches the class a few Gaelic melodies. Lincee Ray, EW.com, 22 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'songbook.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of songbook was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near songbook

Cite this Entry

“Songbook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/songbook. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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