song

noun

ˈsȯŋ 

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

4

: 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

6

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

Perhaps once my internet is improved I will change my song on this, but for now, … it's just not feasible …

—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

b

: a forceful, harsh, or noisy reaction

put up quite a song

7

: a small amount

The company sold for a song.

songlike

ˈsȯŋ-ˌlīk 

adjective

songlike sounds

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

Synonyms of song

• ballad
• lyric
• hymn
• anthem
• jingle

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

However, the authors of this study were aided by using laser range finders, which are tools golfers use to find how far the hole is, Menezes added, enabling them to measure the volume of the birds’ songs and the distance at the same time. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

The letter alleges that the song was used without proper clearances and claims violation of federal copyright law. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

As pre-production raced along, Klein worked with multiple collaborators on the songs and the pre-records the actors would lip-sync to. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026

Dáiddadállu consists of 22 artists, spanning visual arts, film, dance, theater, authorship, choreography, design, music and joik, a traditional form of song. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing song

• art song
• drinking song
• fight song
• folk song
• for a song
• make a song and dance about (something)
• part-song
• pre-song
• same old song and dance
• shout song
• siren song
• song and dance
• song cycle
• song sparrow
• song thrush
• swan song
• theme song
• torch song
• work song

Rhymes for song

• bhang
• bong
• dong
• gong
• hmong
• jong
• longue
• mong
• pong
• prong
• rong
• strong

Kids Definition

song

noun

ˈsȯŋ 

1

: 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