lullaby

1 of 2

noun

lul·​la·​by ˈlə-lə-ˌbī How to pronounce lullaby (audio)
plural lullabies
: a soothing refrain
specifically : a song to quiet children or lull them to sleep

lullaby

2 of 2

verb

lullabied; lullabying

transitive verb

: to quiet with or as if with a lullaby

Examples of lullaby in a Sentence

Verb reclining peacefully on the deck, lullabied by the gentle motion of the ship
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The lullaby wails and fading bells imbue the track with a layer of sunken whimsy — like the moment a child realizes Santa isn’t real and nobody lives forever. Peter A. Berry, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The poetic text feels similar to a bedtime lullaby, and Patrice Barton’s gorgeous watercolor descriptions lend a dreamy feel. Wendy Dunn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024 But this time, Stamos has reworked it as a lullaby, with a little help from American Idol season 14 fan favorite Jax. Listen to the soothing new take below. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2023 The pop star revealed that the song holds sentimental value for her, as her mom used to sing the song as a lullaby while rocking her as a baby. Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 On the album’s opening title track, Greenwood unspools some acoustic lullaby strum and Yorke coos anxiously as his voice pings amid elegiacally dissolving electro-acoustic folderol. Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2024 Perfect for early bedtimes or de-stressing, this blanket’s like a lullaby for your body. Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2023 Some machines also play music, including lullabies, to prompt a calm and relaxing environment while babies are awake. Kelsey Kunik, Parents, 12 Dec. 2023 With calming white noise, nature sounds, lullabies, and more, these devices can help everyone get some rest. Kelsey Kunik, Parents, 12 Dec. 2023
Verb
The original is lullaby-like in its simple softness and was fittingly featured in Richard Linklater's epic 2014 film Boyhood. Natalie Maher, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lullaby.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

obsolete English lulla, interjection used to lull a child (from Middle English) + bye, interjection used to lull a child, from Middle English by

First Known Use

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lullaby was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near lullaby

Cite this Entry

“Lullaby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lullaby. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lullaby

noun
lul·​la·​by
ˈləl-ə-ˌbī
plural lullabies
: a song to quiet children or lull them to sleep

More from Merriam-Webster on lullaby

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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