ode

1 of 2

noun

plural odes
1
: a lyric poem usually marked by exaltation of feeling and style, varying length of line, and complexity of stanza forms
Keats's ode "To a Nightingale"
2
: something that shows respect for or celebrates the worth or influence of another : homage
The museum would be an ode to visual storytelling, drawn from the director's collection of film ephemera and fine art.Chanan Tigay
The recipe is an ode to my homeland, Vietnam, and I'd like to share it with my new friends in America.Gourmet
odist noun

-ode

2 of 2

noun combining form

1
: way : path
electrode
2
: electrode
diode

Examples of ode in a Sentence

Noun This poem is titled, “An Ode to My Mother.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In his new book of poems, Quesada seamlessly blends intimate confessions with odes to surreal paintings. James Factora, Them, 1 Nov. 2024 Fittingly, his outfit was an ode to a jab from one of his wife's costars. Julia Moore, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Megan's nails were also an ode to Starfire, with a translucent purple base shaped into sharp stiletto points and bedazzled with rhinestone-and-ruby decals on the center of each nail to mimic the jeweled medallions on the collar and waistline of her lavender bodysuit. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Oct. 2024 The documentary is also an ode to the loyal fans that follow boy bands. Lexi Carson, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ode 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin, from Greek ōidē, literally, song, from aeidein, aidein to sing; akin to Greek audē voice

Noun combining form

Greek -odos, from hodos

First Known Use

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ode was in 1538

Dictionary Entries Near ode

Cite this Entry

“Ode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ode. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ode

1 of 2 noun
: a lyric poem that expresses a noble feeling with dignity

-ode

2 of 2 noun combining form
ˌōd
1
: way : path
electrode
2
: electrode
diode
Etymology

Noun combining form

derived from Greek hodos "way, path"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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