ballad

The definition of a ballad is poem or song with more than two stanzas that is usually about a romantic or sentimental topic.

(noun)

An example of a ballad is "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" or "God Bless the Child."

See ballad in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a romantic or sentimental song with the same melody for each stanza
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
a slow, sentimental popular song, esp. a love song

Origin: ME balad < OFr ballade, dancing song < OProv ballada, (poem for a) dance < balar, to dance < LL ballare: see ball

See ballad in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A narrative poem, often of folk origin and intended to be sung, consisting of simple stanzas and usually having a refrain.
b. The music for such a poem.
A popular song especially of a romantic or sentimental nature.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English balade, poem or song in stanza form

Origin: , from Old French ballade

Origin: , from Old Provençal balada, song sung while dancing

Origin: , from balar, to dance

Origin: , from Late Latin ballāre, to dance; see ball²

Related Forms: