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
Examples of ballad in a Sentence
a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness
Recent Examples on the Web
Their verses, which included messages to families, love ballads and protest songs, were a vital form of self-expression and release behind bars.
—
Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
This pretty bedroom ballad — the first big single from her debut — proved that soulful R&B and Top 40 pop can be hard to tell apart when the lights are off.
—Henry Goldblatt, EW.com, 8 July 2024
There might not be a human being alive who can belt ballads with as much power and control and grace as Celine Dion.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2024
Walter Scott, the famed Romantic novelist, also had roots in the region and later popularized ballads that further cemented the Borders’ status as a cradle of Scottish lore.
—Yannic Rack, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballad 
Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
This pretty bedroom ballad — the first big single from her debut — proved that soulful R&B and Top 40 pop can be hard to tell apart when the lights are off.
—Henry Goldblatt, EW.com, 8 July 2024
There might not be a human being alive who can belt ballads with as much power and control and grace as Celine Dion.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2024
Walter Scott, the famed Romantic novelist, also had roots in the region and later popularized ballads that further cemented the Borders’ status as a cradle of Scottish lore.
—Yannic Rack, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballad
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ballad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ballad
Cite this Entry
“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballad. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ballad
noun
bal·lad
ˈbal-əd 
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
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