sing

Sing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, often with melody and rhythm. Humans sing to communicate emotion, to accompany music, or in religious and social contexts. Singing can vary by style, technique, and vocal range, including classical, pop, folk, choral, and contemporary musical theater. The practice may involve proper breath control, pitch accuracy, vibrato, and diction, and it can be performed solo or in groups.

The word originates in Old English singan (to sing); related to Dutch zingen, German singen, Swedish sjunga, and other Germanic languages.

Sing is also the title of several media works. The 2016 animated musical comedy Sing, produced by Illumination Entertainment and directed by Garth Jennings, centers on a koala who stages a singing competition to save his theater; the film features an ensemble voice cast and musical numbers. A sequel, Sing 2, was released in 2021. The term appears in other music and film titles as well, reflecting the prominence of singing in popular culture.