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
Its synch in the blockbuster film Ghost scared up new love for the ballad, sending the original version back to a No. 13 high.
—
Gary Trust, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2025
Such is the case for Phil Collins, Madonna, Beyoncé and Billy Joel, who all used the experience of parenthood to inspire some of our favorite ballads and pop tunes that have stood the test of time.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
In the span of a nearly two-hour showcase, Peluso nimbly maneuvered from genre to genre, with no limit on the number of twists: poignant power ballads, razor-sharp raps and salsa sequences with elements of Brazilian funk, EDM and bachata scattered throughout.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025
Led by Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello, each show will feature all the trimmings — jigs, ballads, yarns, Irish step dancing and more.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballad
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Gary Trust, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2025
Such is the case for Phil Collins, Madonna, Beyoncé and Billy Joel, who all used the experience of parenthood to inspire some of our favorite ballads and pop tunes that have stood the test of time.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
In the span of a nearly two-hour showcase, Peluso nimbly maneuvered from genre to genre, with no limit on the number of twists: poignant power ballads, razor-sharp raps and salsa sequences with elements of Brazilian funk, EDM and bachata scattered throughout.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025
Led by Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello, each show will feature all the trimmings — jigs, ballads, yarns, Irish step dancing and more.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballad
Cite this Entry
“Ballad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballad. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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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