song

¹ American  

[sawng, song] / sɔŋ, sɒŋ /

noun

1. a short metrical composition intended or adapted for singing, especially one in rhymed stanzas; a lyric; a ballad.

2. a musical piece adapted for singing or simulating a piece to be sung.

   Mendelssohn's “Songs without Words.”

3. poetical composition; poetry.

4. the art or act of singing; vocal music.

5. something that is sung.

6. an elaborate vocal signal produced by an animal, as the distinctive sounds produced by certain birds, frogs, etc., in a courtship or territorial display.

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idioms

1. for a song, at a very low price; as a bargain.

   We bought the rug for a song when the estate was auctioned off.

Song ² American  

[sawng] / sɔŋ /

noun

Pinyin.

1. a dynasty in China, a.d. 960–1279, characterized by a high level of achievement in painting, ceramics, and philosophy: overthrown by the Mongols. Also Sung

2. Ailing Ai-ling Soong.

3. Qingling Ching-ling Soong.

4. Meiling Mei-ling Soong.

5. Ziwen Tse-ven Soong.

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song ¹ British  

/ sɒŋ /

noun

1. 1. a piece of music, usually employing a verbal text, composed for the voice, esp one intended for performance by a soloist

   2. the whole repertory of such pieces

   3. ( as modifier )

      a song book

2. poetical composition; poetry

3. the characteristic tuneful call or sound made by certain birds or insects

4. the act or process of singing

   they raised their voices in song

5. at a bargain price

6. informal performing at peak efficiency or ability

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Song ² British  

/ sʊŋ /

noun

1. the Pinyin transliteration of the Chinese name for Sung

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song More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing song

• for a song
• swan song

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Other Word Forms

• songlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of song

First recorded before 900; Middle English song, sang, Old English; cognate with German Sang, Old Norse sǫngr, Gothic saggws

Explanation

Feeling happy? Feeling sad? Sing a song! A song is poetry set to music, and there’s a song for every occasion, from “Happy Birthday” to “Here Comes the Bride.” Tra la la! Most songs have words, or lyrics, though not all of them do — and we call the musical sound a bird makes a song as well. Sometimes rhyming poems are called songs, like Pablo Neruda's "April Rain Song." If your friend tells you she bought her bicycle "for a song," that simply means it was inexpensive, not that she actually had to sing a song to get it.

Example Sentences

As Pope Leo arrived, rhythmic music blared from loudspeakers with inmates breaking into song and dance under the stern gaze of prison officers.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

The song, now considered a classic rock staple, has been covered by multiple artists including Joe Cocker, Huey Lewis, the Jackson 5, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Grand Funk Railroad.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

“A happy sounding song about something sad almost makes the feelings easier to process,” Daniel said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

As digital streaming platforms have become the dominant force in music distribution, Paxton said concerns have risen that record labels or artists are paying to be included in editorial or algorithmic playlists and song suggestions.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Nash is blowing on a song flute while Oliver bangs on a drum.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller