song Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a short musical composition with words
    vocal.
    • a successful musical must have at least three good songs
  2. noun a distinctive or characteristic sound
    • the song of bullets was in the air
    • the song of the wind
    • the wheels sang their song as the train rocketed ahead
  3. noun the act of singing
    strain.
    • with a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
  4. noun the characteristic sound produced by a bird
    birdcall; call; birdsong.
    • a bird will not learn its song unless it hears it at an early age
  5. noun a very small sum
    • he bought it for a song
  6. noun the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
    Sung dynasty; Sung; Song dynasty.

WordNet

Song noun
Etymology
AS. song, sang, fr. singan to sing; akin to D. zang, G. sang, Icel. söngr, Goeth. sagws. See Sing.
Definitions
  1. That which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of the voice, whether of a human being or of a bird, insect, etc. "That most ethereal of all sounds, the song of crickets." Hawthorne.
  2. A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad.
  3. More generally, any poetical strain; a poem.
    The bard that first adorned our native tongue Tuned to his British lyre this ancient song. Dryden.
  4. Poetical composition; poetry; verse.
    This subject for heroic song. Milton.
  5. An object of derision; a laughingstock.
    And now am I their song. yea, I am their byword. Job xxx. 9.
  6. A trifle. "The soldier's pay is a song." Silliman. Syn. -- Sonnet; ballad; canticle; carol; canzonet; ditty; hymn; descant; lay; strain; poesy; verse.

Webster 1913