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
Louise Pound4
: 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
The Berkshire Eagle6
a
: a habitual or characteristic manner (as of speaking, reacting, or arguing)
"Back then, he used to just tell me to go ahead and lose so we could go home!" says Josh [Stone]. Now, Harley is singing a different song.—WindSurfing
WindSurfingPerhaps once my internet is improved I will change my song on this, but for now, … it's just not feasible …—Zoe Hawkins
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
Bill Schmick
b
: a forceful, harsh, or noisy reaction
put up quite a song
7
: a small amount
The company sold for a song.
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
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
The cut rises from No. 4 to No. 2 on the Hot 100, a new personal best for the group on the most competitive songs list.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
The atmosphere is calm; a mellow Macy Gray song plays from a speaker, and staff members discreetly check in on clients every 10 to 15 minutes.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
The typical diet of a sharp-shinned hawk is 90 percent small song birds, but the rest includes small rodents.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
The musician and band sang lyrics of the song back and forth on the Lollapalooza stage, with Carpenter happily dancing along to both of their tracks and encouraging the crowd to sing along with them.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
The atmosphere is calm; a mellow Macy Gray song plays from a speaker, and staff members discreetly check in on clients every 10 to 15 minutes.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
The typical diet of a sharp-shinned hawk is 90 percent small song birds, but the rest includes small rodents.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
The musician and band sang lyrics of the song back and forth on the Lollapalooza stage, with Carpenter happily dancing along to both of their tracks and encouraging the crowd to sing along with them.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for song
Cite this Entry
“Song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
song
noun1
: 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
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