ballad

noun

bal·​lad ˈba-ləd How to pronounce ballad (audio)
1
a
: a narrative composition in rhythmic verse suitable for singing
a ballad about King Arthur
b
: an art song accompanying a traditional ballad
2
: a simple song : air
3
: a popular song
especially : a slow romantic or sentimental song
a ballad they danced to at their wedding reception
balladic adjective

Examples of ballad in a Sentence

a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the end, we’re also given a typically emotive Diana Warren ballad, sung by H.E.R. The performances, too, couldn’t be better. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024 Dan’s heartfelt take on the 2005 ballad was a showcase of vulnerability and raw talent. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2024 After its June 2023 release, the soaring breakup ballad finally reached the top of the singles chart in March, its slow build contributing to the song’s pervasive presence on the airwaves — and to Swims landing his first Grammy nomination for best new artist. Thania Garcia, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024 And a reprise of a ballad about happy days, first played as a falsehood only to be refashioned as a genuine statement of rebirth, suggests inspiration momentarily winning over perspiration. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ballad 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English balad, balade, ballade, balett "poem or song in stanza form, poem or stanza in rhyme royal or a similar form," borrowed from Middle French balade, going back to Old French barade, balade "song to be danced to, short poem to be sung," borrowed from Old Occitan ballada, from ballar "to dance" (going back to Late Latin ballāre) + -ada -ade — more at ball entry 3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballad was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ballad

Cite this Entry

“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballad. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ballad

noun
bal·​lad ˈbal-əd How to pronounce ballad (audio)
1
: a poem that tells a story of adventure, of romance, or of a hero, that is suitable for singing, and that usually has stanzas of four lines with a rhyme on the second and fourth lines
2
: a simple song
3
: a usually slow or sentimental popular song

More from Merriam-Webster on ballad

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