ser·e·na·ta \ˌserəˈnäd.ə\noun (pluralserenatas \-äd.əz\ ; alsoserena·te \-ä(ˌ)tā\) Etymology: Italian, serenade — more at serenade 1. a.: serena b.: serenade 2.: a cantata or secular ode of a pastoral or dramatic character usually composed in honor of an individual or event