Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: sang

song

 noun
     
Related topics: Music, Birds
song S2 W2
1

music with words

a) [countable]APM a short piece of music with words that you sing
pop/folk/love etc song
pop songs on the radio
They sat round with guitars, singing folk songs.
b) [uncountable]APM songs in general:
The bravery of past warriors was celebrated in song.
burst/break into song (=suddenly start singing)
Some of his more drunken friends burst into song.
2

birds

[uncountable and countable]HBBAPM the musical sounds made by birds and some other animals such as whales:
the song of the lark
3

for a song

very cheaply:
He bought the house for a song five years ago.
4

a song and dance (about something)

informal
a) British English if you make a song and dance about something, you behave as if it was worse, more important, more difficult etc than it really is:
Suzy was there, making a song and dance about her aching feet.
b) American English an explanation or excuse that is too long and complicated:
She gave us a long song and dance about why she was late.
➔ swansong
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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