plural songs
1
: the act or art of singing
rejoice in song
a culture famous for its song
2
: poetical composition
a hero honored in song and story
3
a
: a short musical composition of words and music
He sang a love song.
My favorite song was playing on the radio.
b
: a collection of such compositions
The wish to gather and preserve popular song …—
Louise Pound
Louise Pound4
: a distinctive or characteristic sound or series of sounds (as of a bird, insect, or whale)
the song of a sparrow
5
a
: a melody for a lyric poem or ballad
whistle a song
b
: an instrumental composition suggestive of vocal music (as in quality or technique)
c
: a poem intended or suited to be set to music
This year's middle-school musical is a story of adventure and courage, featuring … Tolkien's songs set to original music.—The Berkshire Eagle
The Berkshire Eagle6
a
: a habitual or characteristic manner (as of speaking, reacting, or arguing)
Let's see how many of them are singing a different song [=have changed their minds] 15 or 20 years from now.—John Steigerwald
John SteigerwaldPerhaps once my internet is improved I will change my song on this, but for now, … it's just not feasible …—Zoe Hawkins
Zoe Hawkins
also
: an often repeated statement, reaction, or sentiment
It is the same old song of misplaced optimism that has fueled the last few bear market rallies. —Bill Schmick
Bill Schmick
b
: a forceful, harsh, or noisy reaction
put up quite a song
7
: a small amount
The company sold for a song.
see also art song, drinking song, fight song, folk song, part-song, shout song, siren song, song cycle, song and dance, swan song, theme song, torch song, work song
Examples of song in a Sentence
He sang a love song.
The song was playing on the radio.
The event was celebrated in song by a folk group.
I could hear the song of a sparrow.
Recent Examples on the Web
The song is about the thrilling novelty of being treated with basic care and consideration after a long history of manchildery.
—Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2025
And come February, Bad Bunny will compete for album, song and record of the year — the first time a Spanish-language artist has been simultaneously nominated for all three categories.
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2025
In March, Delaney opened up to PEOPLE about honoring her dad by including some of his songs in her directorial debut Adult Best Friends.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
Also a novelist, Hval’s episodic songs brim with intertextual references, conceptual grist, and spoke-sung experimentation, but never stray far from the pleasures of melody.
—Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song
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Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2025
And come February, Bad Bunny will compete for album, song and record of the year — the first time a Spanish-language artist has been simultaneously nominated for all three categories.
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2025
In March, Delaney opened up to PEOPLE about honoring her dad by including some of his songs in her directorial debut Adult Best Friends.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
Also a novelist, Hval’s episodic songs brim with intertextual references, conceptual grist, and spoke-sung experimentation, but never stray far from the pleasures of melody.
—Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song
Cite this Entry
“Song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
song
noun1
: the act or art of singing
2
: poetical composition : poetry
3
: a short piece of music with words intended to be sung
4
: a characteristic sound or series of sounds (as of a bird)
5
a
: a melody for a lyric poem or ballad
b
: a poem easily set to music
6
: a small amount
can be bought for a song
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