Ballad Definition

băləd
ballads
noun
ballads
A narrative poem, often of folk origin and intended to be sung, consisting of simple stanzas and usually having a refrain.
American Heritage
A romantic or sentimental song with the same melody for each stanza.
Webster's New World
The music for such a poem.
American Heritage
A song or poem that tells a story in short stanzas and simple words, with repetition, refrain, etc.: most old ballads are of unknown authorship and have been handed down orally in more than one version.
Webster's New World
A popular song especially of a romantic or sentimental nature.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
verb
(intransitive) To compose or sing ballads.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Ballad

Noun

Singular:
ballad
Plural:
ballads

Origin of Ballad

  • Middle English balade poem or song in stanza form from Old French ballade from Old Provençal balada song sung while dancing from balar to dance from Late Latin ballāre to dance ball2

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From French ballade, from Old Provençal ballada (“poem for a dance”), from Late Latin ballare.

    From Wiktionary

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