sing

verb \ ˈsiŋ \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of sing

sang play \ˈsaŋ\ or sung play \ˈsəŋ\; sung; singing play \ˈsiŋ-iŋ\

intransitive verb

1 a : to produce musical tones by means of the voice

b : to utter words in musical tones and with musical inflections and modulations

c : to deliver songs as a trained or professional singer

2 : to make a shrill whining or whistling sound

3 a : to relate or celebrate something in verse

b : to compose poetry

c : to create in or through words a feeling or sense of song

prose that sings

4 : to produce musical or harmonious sounds

birds singing

5 : buzz, ring

6 : to make a cry : call

7 : to give information or evidence

transitive verb

1 : to utter with musical inflections; especially : to interpret in musical tones produced by the voice

2 : to relate or celebrate in verse

3 : chant, intone

4 : to bring or accompany to a place or state by singing

sings the child to sleep

—

singable

play \ˈsiŋ-ə-bəl\ adjective

See sing defined for English-language learners

See sing defined for kids

Examples of sing in a Sentence

She sings in the choir.
The children danced and sang.
He sang softly to the baby.
She's a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too.
We all stood and sang the national anthem.
I can't sing the high notes.
Do you hear the birds singing?
The kettle sang on the stove.
The bullet sang past his helmet.

Recent Examples of sing from the Web

Galatea, as the statue is named, eventually takes on human form (the role is sung by soprano Angela Mortellaro).

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "How a double bill of Donizetti rarities wound up at Chicago Opera Theater," 10 Apr. 2018
This week's production will differ from others and its predecessors in two other key respects: It will be sung in the Italian and feature a custom reconstruction of the grim original ending.

— zachary lewis, cleveland.com, "Apollo's Fire taking large artistic step with new production of Monteverdi's 'L'Orfeo' (preview)," 10 Apr. 2018
The sounds of my father playing the oud and my family singing shabbat songs were a big part of my upbringing.

— Daily Intelligencer, "How The Band’s Visit Is Bringing Cultural Authenticity to Broadway," 10 Apr. 2018
Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms was superbly sung by the Westminster Symphonic Choir with boy soprano Dante Michael DiMaio.

— david patrick stearns, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Orchestra's new oratorio wit' cheesesteaks was great fun at its Philly premiere," 6 Apr. 2018
Depending on the post-game situation, the SATs sometimes join the players on the field to sing the school song.

— elliott lapin, Houston Chronicle, "Student trainers serve as more than just a water boy/girl," 5 Apr. 2018
Hymns and folk songs are sung a cappella by men and women.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Fun and free events this weekend in Cincinnati," 4 Apr. 2018
Because Jesus Christ Superstar is sung-through, the audience didn’t have to switch back and forth between realities.

— constance grady, Vox, "Why Jesus Christ Superstar Live succeeded where other live TV musicals have failed," 2 Apr. 2018
Tracy Henry, a third-grade teacher at the school, said her classroom became so heated during the blaze that crayons melted and a U.S. flagging on the wall was visibly singed.

— stuart leavenworth, sacbee, "A ‘very difficult year’ – Sonoma schools still recovering from devastating fire | The Sacramento Bee," 2 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of sing

Middle English, from Old English singan; akin to Old High German singan to sing, Greek omphē voice

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

sing Synonyms

Synonyms

inform, rat (on), snitch, squeal, talk, tell (on);

Related Words

betray, give away, turn in;

backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time;

blab, tattle;

tip (off);

sing

noun

Definition of sing

: a session of group singing

Recent Examples of sing from the Web

The exclusive video clip provides a peek into Timberlake’s thrilling on-the-road spectacle — from the hypnotizing lasers and light show to the up-close-and-personal VIP bar and cozy campfire designed specifically for mid-set sing alongs.

— jeff nelson, PEOPLE.com, "Bonfires, Bars and a Smoky River: Look Inside Justin Timberlake’s Wild Man of the Woods Tour," 4 Apr. 2018
Cetina, bless his heart, sings as well as you or I, but Santoli has the sort of pipes that come from years of singing lessons.

— claudette bakhtiar, charlotteobserver, "Are these the five best karaoke singers in Charlotte? | Charlotte Observer," 3 Apr. 2018
Updated since then, the 2,068-square-foot residence boasts an array of original details and contemporary upgrades that make this historic home sing.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "1920s Dutch Colonial exudes plenty of charm, wants $699K," 2 Apr. 2018
Backed by a nine-piece orchestra, A Boogie's signature melodic sing-song floats over the lush, cinematic sounds permeating the studio space, staying true to the same grandiose sound of the original.

— nerisha penrose, Billboard, "A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Teams Up With the Trap Symphony to Perform 'Drowning'," 21 Mar. 2018
The second, a serene strum-fest accompanied by Meloy's sing-song musings.

— eder campuzano, OregonLive.com, "With 'I'll Be Your Girl,' The Decemberists take a new path to the same destination (review)," 16 Mar. 2018
Much of it falls into a kind of sing-song parlando.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Fringe Opera's bare-bones staging of 'Great God Pan' brings more spills than chills," 15 Mar. 2018
Borts acts, sings and plays the accordion in her role, adding a distinct European accent in her voice.

— marvin glassman, Jewish Journal, "Jewish actors, singers headline South Florida entertainment," 15 Mar. 2018
Occasional, inexplicable sing-alongs have been heard toward the end of happy hour.

— samantha melamed, Philly.com, "Why Oscar's Tavern is the best dive bar in Philly," 28 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of sing

1850

Other Music Terms

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

SING Defined for English Language Learners

sing

verb

Definition of sing for English Language Learners

: to use your voice to make musical sounds in the form of a song or tune
: to make pleasant sounds that sound like music
: to make a high-pitched whistling sound

SING Defined for Kids

sing

verb \ ˈsiŋ \

Definition of sing for Students

sang \ˈsaŋ\ or sung \ˈsəŋ\; sung; singing

1 : to produce musical sounds with the voice

He sings in the choir.

2 : to express in musical tones

Will you sing a song?

3 : to make musical sounds

The birds were singing at dawn.

4 : ¹chant 2

sing mass

5 : to make a small high-pitched sound

Arrows went singing through the air.

6 : to speak with enthusiasm

Their teacher is happy to sing their praises.

7 : to do something with song

He sang the baby to sleep.

—

singer

noun

sing.

abbreviation

Definition of sing. for Students

singular

Learn More about sing

See words that rhyme with sing Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sing Spanish Central: Translation of sing Nglish: Translation of sing for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sing for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

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sing

Definition of sing

singable

Examples of sing in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sing from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sing

sing Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

sing

Definition of sing

Recent Examples of sing from the Web

First Known Use of sing

Other Music Terms

SING Defined for English Language Learners

sing

Definition of sing for English Language Learners

SING Defined for Kids

sing

Definition of sing for Students

singer

sing.

Definition of sing. for Students

Learn More about sing

Seen and Heard

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