ode

1 of 2

noun

ˈōd 

plural odes

1

: 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"

2

: something that shows respect for or celebrates the worth or influence of another : homage

The museum would be an ode to visual storytelling, drawn from the director's collection of film ephemera and fine art.

—Chanan Tigay

The recipe is an ode to my homeland, Vietnam, and I'd like to share it with my new friends in America.

—Gourmet

odist

ˈō-dist 

noun

-ode

2 of 2

noun combining form

1

: way : path

electrode

2

: electrode

diode

Examples of ode in a Sentence

Noun

This poem is titled, “An Ode to My Mother.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ambitious Anaheim tiki bar Strong Water, with its dozens of flaming, large-format classic, original and even nonalcoholic odes to the tropical drink, is a finalist in the national category of outstanding wine and other beverages program. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

Both masks are beautiful and infused with energy, an ode to how other cultures handle death. —Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024

The novel is an inventive ode to self-determination and also a surrealistic vision of Black life as forged within the crucible of American history. —The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

An ode to Willie Mays, the No. 24 consists of Bulleit Rye Whiskey, gum syrup, angostura and orange butters served over ice shaped like a baseball. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024

While Dolce & Gabbana composed an ode to this archetype, others are taking it apart, using the satin-lapel jacket or the cummerbund as a way to play against formality or gender stereotypes. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024

Together, the 16 tracks are an ode to self-preservation amid hardship — something Shakira knows well after a very public breakup with former soccer player Gerard Piqué. —Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024

Far from condemning the couple's occasional bad behavior, Erotic Vagrancy remains an ode to the two Hollywood legends — something that Lewis never lost sight of while writing. —Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024

Impeccable service, unique rooms, and decor that plays an ode to the property’s rich history. —Rachel Dube, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Noun combining form

Greek -odos, from hodos

First Known Use

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ode

1 of 2 noun

ˈōd 

: a lyric poem that expresses a noble feeling with dignity

-ode

2 of 2 noun combining form

ˌōd

1

: way : path

electrode

2

: electrode

diode

Etymology

Noun combining form

derived from Greek hodos "way, path"