nursery rhyme

noun

1. a short, simple poem or song for very young children, as Hickory Dickory Dock.

nursery rhyme

noun

1. a short traditional verse or song for children, such as Little Jack Horner

Word History and Origins

Origin of nursery rhyme¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Guibert wells with pride when I ask her about bringing up a rock legend in a Latino household; she and her mother sang nursery rhymes to young Jeff in Spanish.

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Parents might read nursery rhymes, a powerful tool that teaches children rhymes they remember throughout their lives, she said.

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The nursery rhyme that goes “Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, your house is on fire, your children are gone” cruelly repeated in my head.

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The nursery rhyme that goes, “Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, your house is on fire, your children are gone,” cruelly repeated in my head.

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It all took its toll: our fussy baby, the constant nursery rhymes, and getting lost as Waze tried to help us avoid traffic.

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Related Words

• cadence 
• poem 
• poetry 
• rhythm 
• tune 
• verse