chanson

American  

[shan-suhn, shahn-sawn] / ˈʃæn sən, ʃɑ̃ˈsɔ̃ /

noun

plural

chansons

1. any of several types of song with French lyrics, occurring from the Middle Ages to the present in a variety of musical styles.

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Etymology

Origin of chanson

1595–1605; < French < Latin cantiōn- (stem of cantiō ) song; see canzone

Example Sentences

Titled C'est La Vie, it's a joyous blend of Afropop and French chanson that repeats the advice she used to give Claude and his siblings in the asylum centre in Alkmaar.

From BBC • May 16, 2025

Finland’s Käärijä was a crowd-pleaser in the semifinals with his pop-metal party tune “Cha Cha Cha,” and Canadian singer La Zarra, competing for France, is also highly ranked for her Edith Piaf-esque chanson “Évidemment.”

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2023

Brel is a modern representative of the French chanson tradition, a poetic style of songwriting that can trace its origins back to the medieval period.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2021

Jessica Fichot The Paris-raised, L.A.-based singer-songwriter and her band perform an eclectic mix of French chanson, jazz and world music in an outdoor show.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 15, 2021

Then there was the sound of chanson music and accordions and lots of clinking wineglasses as they celebrated.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness