Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural chan·sons [shan-suh nz; French shahn-sawn] /ˈʃæn sənz; French ʃɑ̃ˈsɔ̃/.
- any of several types of song with French lyrics, occurring from the Middle Ages to the present in a variety of musical styles.
c.1600, from French chanson, from Old French chançon “song, epic poem” (12c.), from Latin cantionem (nominative cantio) “song,” from past participle stem of canere (see chant (v.)).