ballad

noun

bal·​lad ˈba-ləd How to pronounce ballad (audio)
1
a
: a narrative composition in rhythmic verse suitable for singing
a ballad about King Arthur
b
: an art song accompanying a traditional ballad
2
: a simple song : air
3
: a popular song
especially : a slow romantic or sentimental song
a ballad they danced to at their wedding reception
balladic adjective

Examples of ballad in a Sentence

a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
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.
Idols also shows how Yungblud’s bellow is tailor-made for cathartic ballads. Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025 But Heart veers away from the Christian-college coffeehouse vibes and the stomping, whooping ballads of the debut album and the big hit. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 June 2025 Her third album — full of synthy dance-pop songs (with a token ballad thrown into the mix) — is mostly memorable for its edgy music video for the lead single, the title track. Brendan Le, People.com, 18 June 2025 The possibly confused, wound-up Holmes is a world away from Mister Romantic, the long-running alter ego behind Reilly’s new album of romance ballads, What’s Not To Love. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ballad

Word History

Etymology

Middle English balad, balade, ballade, balett "poem or song in stanza form, poem or stanza in rhyme royal or a similar form," borrowed from Middle French balade, going back to Old French barade, balade "song to be danced to, short poem to be sung," borrowed from Old Occitan ballada, from ballar "to dance" (going back to Late Latin ballāre) + -ada -ade — more at ball entry 3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballad was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballad. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ballad

noun
bal·​lad ˈbal-əd How to pronounce ballad (audio)
1
: a poem that tells a story of adventure, of romance, or of a hero, that is suitable for singing, and that usually has stanzas of four lines with a rhyme on the second and fourth lines
2
: a simple song
3
: a usually slow or sentimental popular song

More from Merriam-Webster on ballad

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