chanson

American  

[shan-suhn, shahn-sawn] / ˈʃæn sən, ʃɑ̃ˈsɔ̃ /

noun

chansons plural

1. any of several types of song with French lyrics, occurring from the Middle Ages to the present in a variety of musical styles.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• chansons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chanson

1595–1605; < French < Latin cantiōn- (stem of cantiō ) song; see canzone

Example Sentences

Spectacular to look at, the production is unfailingly exuberant, a parade of color and catchy chanson.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2024

According to the unconfirmed reports, she would sing a chanson of the late Édith Piaf - thus updating a French classic and showing it off before a modern, multi-ethnic worldwide audience.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2024

Brel is a modern representative of the French chanson tradition, a poetic style of songwriting that can trace its origins back to the medieval period.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2021

The second is a popular chanson by German singer Hildegard Knef called “It Shall Rain Red Roses for Me.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 2, 2021

Then there was the sound of chanson music and accordions and lots of clinking wineglasses as they celebrated.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness