carol

noun car·ol \ ˈker-əl , ˈka-rəl \

Definition of carol

1 :an old round dance with singing

2 :a song of joy or mirth

the carol of a bird
—Lord Byron

3 :a popular song or ballad of religious joy

See carol defined for English-language learners

See carol defined for kids

Examples of carol in a Sentence

We sang our favorite carols while we decorated the tree.
sang carols at the Christmas Eve service

Recent Examples of carol from the Web

Christmas tunes and traditional carols will be sung by the 120-voice choir.

— evan frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Oconomowoc Area Senior Center's Travelin' Troupe to travel to Appleton for Christmas Stars trip," 28 Aug. 2017
On Dec. 7, 2014 a group of 11 children were outside singing Christmas carols in front of a bonfire in Enarotoli when two Indonesian soldiers on a motorbike broke through the gloom.

— Time, "‘A Tragic, Forgotten Place.' Poverty and Death in Indonesia's Land of Gold," 3 Aug. 2017
The Polar Express ride, meanwhile will feature LED lighting synced with activities onboard, such as the singing of Christmas carols, while en route.

— jason ruiter, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Tavares' movie-like 'Polar Express' ride to launch Nov. 17, regular rides next month," 1 Aug. 2017
Over the speakers, 106.7 Light FM is playing Christmas carols.

— jeremiah moss, Longreads, "Mourning the Low-Rent, Weirdo-Filled East Village of Old," 24 July 2017
The only way to summon the man in red, Page recalls, was to sing Christmas carols at the top of your lungs.

— maria carter, Country Living, "How a North Carolina Summer Camp Started Christmas in July," 13 July 2017
Customers work at carols at the Bradley Teletheater, an off-track betting venue in Windsor Locks.

— kenneth r. gosselin, courant.com, "State Poised To Launch Biggest Expansion Of Gambling In Decades, But Advocates See Trouble Ahead," 23 June 2017
Hearing bells in a forest or in the mountains is like being assaulted by Christmas carols in July.

— thomas pease, Alaska Dispatch News, "Adding noise to the Alaska bear protection debate," 18 June 2017
Albert Pergande has whipped up this collection of bad puns, Shakespearean jokes, repurposed Christmas carols and puppets.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Titus Andronicus Holiday Special' at Orlando Fringe Festival," 22 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of carol

Middle English carole, from Anglo-French, modification of Late Latin choraula choral song, from Latin, choral accompanist, from Greek choraulēs, from choros chorus + aulein to play a reed instrument, from aulos, a reed instrument — more at alveolus

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

carol Synonyms

Synonyms

anthem, canticle, hymn, chorale, psalm, spiritual

Related Words

dirge, lament, requiem, threnody; Gloria Patri, hallelujah, paean; mass, oratorio; processional, recessional

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

carol

verb

Definition of carol

caroled or carolled; caroling or carolling

intransitive verb

1 :to sing especially in a joyful manner

2 :to sing carols; specifically :to go about outdoors in a group singing Christmas carols

transitive verb

1 :to praise in or as if in song

2 :to sing especially in a cheerful manner :warble

—

caroler

or caroller play \-ə-lər\ noun

See carol defined for English-language learners

Examples of carol in a Sentence

Last night, we went caroling with our friends.
she caroled with glee when she heard the good news

Recent Examples of carol from the Web

She and Kirsten met thirteen years ago, at the Christmas-carolling party of a mutual friend.

— adam davidson, The New Yorker, "The Prairie Wife," 13 Feb. 2017
Mr. Pintard, Mr. Goldstein said, was upset by the rowdy and boozy celebrations held around Christmas by farm hands indulging in caroling sessions.

— corey kilgannon, New York Times, "Santa’s a New Yorker. You Got a Problem With That?," 15 Dec. 2016