Definition of: vaudeville

(vô′də·vil, vōd′vil) noun
1. A miscellaneous theatrical entertainment consisting of a slight dramatic sketch or pantomime interspersed with songs and dances; a series of short sketches, songs, dances, acrobatic feats, etc., having no dramatic connection; a variety show; also, a theater presenting such shows.
2. A street ballad; originally, a satirical or topical popular song. [<F, alter, of (chanson de) Vau de Vire (song of) the valley of the Vire river (in Normandy), where Basselin, the best-known composer of such songs, lived]