lullaby

[ luhl-uh-bahy ]

noun

, plural lull·a·bies.

1. a song used to lull a child to sleep; cradlesong.
2. any lulling song.

verb (used with object)

, lull·a·bied, lull·a·by·ing.

1. to lull with or as with a lullaby.

lullaby

/ ˈlʌləˌbaɪ /

noun

1. a quiet song to lull a child to sleep
2. the music for such a song

verb

1. tr to quiet or soothe with or as if with a lullaby

Word History and Origins

Origin of lullaby¹

1550–60; equivalent to lulla, lulla ( y ), interjection used in cradlesongs ( late Middle English lullai, lulli ) + -by, as in bye-bye

Word History and Origins

Origin of lullaby¹

C16: perhaps a blend of lull + goodbye

Example Sentences

But Jacobs expertly handles ear-crushing climaxes as well as it does a lullaby.

From Los Angeles Times

He and his wife counted on one of the three wireless devices he owned to play lullabies to help put their baby daughter to sleep.

From Los Angeles Times

The songs are roughly divided into two groups: uptempo party tunes and get-ready-for-bed lullabies; in addition to Legend’s originals, the album has covers of “You Are My Sunshine” and Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.”

From Los Angeles Times

As they waited for the weather to pass, he said, the family sang the lullaby “Jesus Loves Me.”

From New York Times

I tried everything I could think of: switched to decaf coffee, gave up all alcohol, started meditating and even found a lullaby playlist to condition my body into sleep mode.

From Seattle Times