1. a type of poem consisting of three stanzas and an envoy, with a recurring refrain
Usage: literary
2. a musical composition, especially for piano, that is lyrical and narrative in character
Usage: music

Examples

• The poet wrote a ballade about lost love with a haunting refrain.
• Chopin’s ballades are among his most celebrated piano compositions.
• Each stanza of the ballade ended with the same memorable line.
• The ballade form was popular among medieval French poets.
• She performed a beautiful ballade at the piano recital.
• The ballade’s envoy addressed the poem directly to the prince.