Definition of ode
: a lyric poem usually marked by exaltation of feeling and style, varying length of line, and complexity of stanza forms Keats's ode “To a Nightingale”
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Examples of ode in a Sentence
This poem is titled, “An Ode to My Mother.”
Recent Examples of ode from the Web
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Cities across the state have been debating the merits of these Jim Crow-era odes to the Confederacy for several years, but Baton Rouge, which did so in 2012, is the only city other than New Orleans actually to take down such an Old South monument.
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This restaurant is billed as an ode to the Mississippi Delta region, whose cuisine is distinctly different from other Southern idioms; think spicy tamales and catfish, rather than shrimp and grits and cornbread.
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The ode is a dedication to all things below the Mason-Dixon line.
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The Romantic poets loved Kosciuszko, penning ballads and odes about his exploits.
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Or what about Harry Styles' impressive classic-rock ode with Harry Styles?
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Kardashian wasn't the only one who chose to share a message to Grande and an ode to the concert experience.
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Don't let the academic title fool you — this five-decade romp reads less like a history lesson and more like an ode to an old friend.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ode'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of ode
Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin, from Greek ōidē, literally, song, from aeidein, aidein to sing; akin to Greek audē voice
First Known Use: 1538
Other Literature Terms
-ode
Definition of -ode
1 : way : path electrode
2 : electrode diode
Origin and Etymology of -ode
Greek -odos, from hodos
ODE Defined for English Language Learners
ode
playDefinition of ode for English Language Learners
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: a poem in which a person expresses a strong feeling of love or respect for someone or something
ODE Defined for Kids
ode
playDefinition of ode for Students
: a lyric poem that expresses a noble feeling with dignity
Learn More about ode
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See words that rhyme with ode Spanish Central: Translation of ode Nglish: Translation of ode for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ode for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ode
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