Definition

1. Noun:
   • A short musical composition with words for singing: A piece of music with lyrics, typically intended to be performed by the human voice.
   • The act of singing: The art or instance of producing musical sounds with the voice.
   • The characteristic melodious sound produced by a bird: A series of musical notes uttered by certain birds.
   • A distinctive or characteristic sound: Any sound, often rhythmic or melodious, that is typical of a particular thing.
   • A very small sum of money: An idiomatically low price.
   • A dynasty: (Capitalized) The imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279, noted for art, literature, and philosophy.

Usage and Examples

• As a musical composition:
  • She wrote a beautiful song about friendship.
  • The band played their latest song.
• As the act of singing:
  • They raised their voices in song.
• As a bird's sound:
  • I woke up to the song of a robin.
• As a characteristic sound:
  • He loved the song of the wind in the trees.
• As an idiom for a low price:
  • At that flea market, I found this vintage lamp for a song.
• As a historical dynasty:
  • During the Song dynasty, Chinese painting flourished.

Advanced Usage and Idioms

• For a song: For a very low price; very cheaply.
  • They bought the antique chair for a song at the auction.
• Make a song and dance about (something): (Informal, chiefly British) To make an unnecessary fuss or commotion about something.
  • He made a real song and dance about a tiny scratch on the car.
• Nothing to make a song (and dance) about: Not important or noteworthy.
  • The test results were fine—nothing to make a song about.
• On song: (Informal, often in sports) Performing at one's best.
  • The striker was really on song and scored two goals.
• Song and dance: (Informal) A long, elaborate, often misleading story or excuse.
  • He gave me some song and dance about his alarm clock not working.

Variants and Related Words

• Songbird (n): A bird known for its musical song.
• Songbook (n): A book containing a collection of songs.
• Songwriter (n): A person who writes songs, especially professionally.
• Singsong (adj/n): A voice or rhythm with a repeated rising and falling pattern.

Synonyms

• Melody: A sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying; a tune.
• Tune: A melody, especially one that characterizes a particular piece of music.
• Ballad: A slow, sentimental or romantic song.
• Anthem: A rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause.
• Lay: (Archaic) A short lyric or narrative poem meant to be sung.

Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Song" is primarily a noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The related expressions are idiomatic.)

Noun

1. the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
2. a very small sum
   • he bought it for a song
3. the characteristic sound produced by a bird
   • a bird will not learn its song unless it hears it at an early age
4. the act of singing
   • with a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
5. a distinctive or characteristic sound
   • the song of bullets was in the air
   • the song of the wind
   • the wheels sang their song as the train rocketed ahead
6. a short musical composition with words
   • a successful musical must have at least three good songs