1
a
: a narrative composition in rhythmic verse suitable for singing
a ballad about King Arthur
b
: an art song accompanying a traditional ballad
2
: a simple song : air
3
: a popular song
especially
: a slow romantic or sentimental song
a ballad they danced to at their wedding reception
Examples of ballad in a Sentence
a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
Recent Examples on the Web
Some dabbed their eyes during ballads while others swayed to the beat during passionate numbers.
—
Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2025
From Sam Smith’s tender new ballad to Lola Young’s angsty anthem, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Since the start of their career over a decade ago, Sam Smith became known, primarily, for their singular voice.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 25 July 2025
On Thursday, the Black Sabbath frontman’s daughter Kelly Osbourne expressed her grief with a reference to the British heavy metal band’s 1972 ballad ‘Changes’ on her Instagram Story.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 July 2025
Together, this ensemble created countless romantic ballads that continue to soundtrack everyday life on both sides of the Mexican-American border.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballad
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Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2025
From Sam Smith’s tender new ballad to Lola Young’s angsty anthem, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:
Since the start of their career over a decade ago, Sam Smith became known, primarily, for their singular voice.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 25 July 2025
On Thursday, the Black Sabbath frontman’s daughter Kelly Osbourne expressed her grief with a reference to the British heavy metal band’s 1972 ballad ‘Changes’ on her Instagram Story.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 July 2025
Together, this ensemble created countless romantic ballads that continue to soundtrack everyday life on both sides of the Mexican-American border.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballad
Cite this Entry
“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballad. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ballad
noun
bal·lad
ˈbal-əd 
1
: a poem that tells a story of adventure, of romance, or of a hero, that is suitable for singing, and that usually has stanzas of four lines with a rhyme on the second and fourth lines
2
: a simple song
3
: a usually slow or sentimental popular song
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