nursery rhyme

American  

noun

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

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nursery rhyme British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of nursery rhyme

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Dad would pet my hair, sing me French nursery rhymes, and tell funny stories until I fell asleep.

From Literature

The conceit sounds simple today: Kids are given a small plastic key, for which they insert in a box near an installation and then are regaled with music and a short nursery rhyme or folktale.

From Los Angeles Times

They were dressed alike and appeared to be twins; their mother entertained them with a variety of rattles, plush toys, nursery rhymes, games of peek-a-boo, and amusing little songs about farm animals.

From Literature

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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