Song: meaning, definitions and examples

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song

[sɔŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

music

A short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung.

Synonyms

lyric, melody, tune.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
song	A 'song' is a piece of music with words that is sung. It is a general term for any musical composition that typically includes lyrics. They danced to their favorite song at the wedding. I can't get that song out of my head.
tune	The word 'tune' is another term for the melody of a song. It can also refer to simple, memorable sequences of notes, and is often used informally. I can't stop humming that tune. This old tune brings back so many memories.
melody	A 'melody' is the sequence of notes that makes up the main tune of a piece of music. It is often what makes a song recognizable. The melody of this song is very catchy. He played the melody on the piano.
lyric	The word 'lyric' refers to the words of a song. It is used when focusing on the text or poetry of the song rather than the music itself. The lyrics of this song are very meaningful. She wrote the lyrics to the song herself.

Examples of usage

Her favorite song is 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen.
The children sang a happy song together.
He wrote a beautiful love song for his wife.
The artist performed an acoustic version of the song.
The song became an instant hit on the radio.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

poetry

A lyric poem or ballad.

Synonyms

ballad, ode, poem.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
song	Used generally for musical compositions meant to be sung, often with lyrics and instrumental accompaniment. She sang her favorite song at the karaoke night The band's new song climbed to the top of the charts
poem	A piece of writing arranged in lines and stanzas, often with rhythm and meter, that expresses ideas, emotions, or tells a story. He recited a poem he wrote for his mother The literature class studied the structure of a famous poem
ballad	A type of song or poem that tells a story, often a romantic or dramatic one, usually in a simple, melodic form. The old ballad spoke of heroes and lost love He wrote a ballad about the untimely demise of a legendary warrior
ode	A form of lyrical poetry, often formal and elaborate, expressing praise or strong emotion for someone or something. The poet composed an ode to the beauty of the night sky She delivered an ode celebrating the achievements of the scientist

Examples of usage

She composed a song about nature and its beauty.
The troubadour sang a hauntingly beautiful song.
The ancient songs were passed down through generations.
The bard recited a song of love and loss.
The song captured the essence of the poet's emotions.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word 'song' comes from the Old English 'sang', which goes back to Germanic roots, showing how ancient people expressed emotions through music.
Different cultures have created songs for celebrations and rituals, making them a key part of history and community life.
In the Middle Ages, troubadours traveled to perform songs, spreading stories and news before the internet.

Pop Culture

Over the decades, songs have been crucial in defining movements, like the protest songs of the 1960s that helped shape social change.
Many movies and TV shows use songs to create emotional connections with the audience, often making them iconic.
The rise of platforms like TikTok has transformed how songs become popular, with short clips leading to viral trends.

Science

Research shows that listening to songs can boost brain activity and improve memory, making music a powerful tool for learning.
The brain reacts to rhythm in songs, which can create a sense of pleasure similar to eating good food or engaging in enjoyable activities.
Singing releases endorphins, the ‘feel-good’ hormones, which is why many people feel happier when they sing or listen to music.

Psychology

Songs can evoke strong emotions and memories, often tying specific tunes to particular life events or feelings.
Music therapy utilizes songs to help people manage stress, sorrow, and even recover from trauma.
Studies suggest that people often choose songs that match their current mood, highlighting music’s role in emotional expression.

Literature

Songs have been a key form of storytelling and poetic expression from ancient oral traditions to modern literature.
Many famous authors, like William Blake, incorporated lyrical quality into their writing, blurring lines between poetry and song.
The ballad, a particular type of song, serves as a narrative poetry form, often telling tales of love, tragedy, or heroism.

Translations

Translations of the word "song" in other languages:

🇵🇹 canção

🇮🇳 गीत

🇩🇪 Lied

🇮🇩 lagu

🇺🇦 пісня

🇵🇱 piosenka

🇯🇵 歌

🇫🇷 chanson

🇪🇸 canción

🇹🇷 şarkı

🇰🇷 노래

🇸🇦 أغنية

🇨🇿 píseň

🇸🇰 pieseň

🇨🇳 歌曲

🇸🇮 pesem

🇮🇸 lag

🇰🇿 ән

🇬🇪 სიმღერა

🇦🇿 mahnı

🇲🇽 canción

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,612, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2609 highway
2610 customer
2611 dust
2612 song
2613 marks
2614 mountains
2615 engineer
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