sing

1 of 2

verb

sang ˈsaŋ How to pronounce sing (audio) or sung ˈsəŋ How to pronounce sing (audio) ; sung; singing ˈsiŋ-iŋ How to pronounce sing (audio)

intransitive verb

1
a
: to produce musical tones by means of the voice
b
: to utter words in musical tones and with musical inflections and modulations
c
: to deliver songs as a trained or professional singer
2
: to make a shrill whining or whistling sound
3
a
: to relate or celebrate something in verse
b
: to compose poetry
c
: to create in or through words a feeling or sense of song
prose that sings
4
: to produce musical or harmonious sounds
birds singing
5
: buzz, ring
6
: to make a cry : call
7
: to give information or evidence

transitive verb

1
: to utter with musical inflections
especially : to interpret in musical tones produced by the voice
2
: to relate or celebrate in verse
3
4
: to bring or accompany to a place or state by singing
sings the child to sleep
singable adjective

sing

2 of 2

noun

: a session of group singing

Examples of sing in a Sentence

Verb She sings in the choir. The children danced and sang. He sang softly to the baby. She's a great actress, and she can dance and sing, too. We all stood and sang the national anthem. I can't sing the high notes. Do you hear the birds singing? The kettle sang on the stove. The bullet sang past his helmet.
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.
Verb
This opera is sung in Italian with English captions. Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024 Ernest sang the hit for the dancing country music fans Monday, which perfectly led into Jelly Roll's show. David Wysong, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Grohl plays drums and sings, while Benante plays bass on the track, proceeds of which will go to help Bad Brains' singer H.R., who has undergone treatment for painful headaches. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024 In this iconic scene, the two sing and dance in matching shoes to the backdrop of a beautiful Los Angeles sky. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sing 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English singan; akin to Old High German singan to sing, Greek omphē voice

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sing was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sing

Cite this Entry

“Sing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sing. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sing

1 of 2 verb
sang ˈsaŋ How to pronounce sing (audio) or sung ˈsəŋ How to pronounce sing (audio) ; sung; singing ˈsiŋ-iŋ How to pronounce sing (audio)
1
a
: to produce musical sounds by means of the voice
b
: to utter with musical sounds
sing a song
c
: chant entry 1 sense 2, intone
parts of the mass were sung
2
: to make pleasing musical sounds
birds singing at dawn
3
: to make a slight shrill sound
a kettle singing on the stove
4
: to express enthusiastically
sing the praises of life in the city
5
: buzz entry 1 sense 1, ring
ears singing from the sudden descent
6
: to affect or bring to a place or state by singing
sing a baby to sleep
sing the blues away
7
: to call aloud : cry out
sing out when you find them
singable adjective

sing

2 of 2 noun
: a session of group singing

More from Merriam-Webster on sing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!