folk music

noun
1.
music, usually of simple character and anonymous authorship, handed down among the common people by oral tradition.
2.
music by known composers that has become part of the folk tradition of a country or region.
Origin
1885-90
Examples from the web for folk music
  • Acid rock, psychedelic drugs and folk music were popular.
  • The sound of folk music sometimes ushers you to dance in the streets.
  • Nine stages throughout the festival grounds present folk music, dancing, storytelling and cultural presentations.
  • In both cities, expect huge crowds, folk music and costumed entertainers parading down the streets.
  • folk music articles and reviews, and notices about upcoming festivals.
  • It is set to nine old songs, which have the rough-hewn quality of folk music.
  • Then a few months later, he stumbled upon folk music.
British Dictionary definitions for folk music

folk music

noun
1.
music that is passed on from generation to generation by oral tradition Compare art music
2.
any music composed in the idiom of this oral tradition
Word Origin and History for folk music

1889, from folk (also cf. folklore). In reference to the branch of modern popular music (originally associated with Greenwich Village in New York City) it dates from 1958.

folk music in Culture

folk music definition


A kind of music originating from the ordinary people of a region or nation and continued by oral tradition. The ballad is a typical form of folk music. Music is also called “folk” when it is made by artists and composers who are inspired by, or imitate, true folk music. Composers such as Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie are folk musicians of the second kind.