Gregorian chant

American  

noun

1. the plain song or cantus firmus used in the ritual of the Roman Catholic Church.

2. a melody in this style.

---

Gregorian chant British  

noun

1. another name for plainsong

---

Gregorian chant Cultural  

1. The traditional music for Latin texts in the worship of the Roman Catholic Church. Gregorian chant is marked by performance in unison and by free-flowing rhythms that follow the phrasing of the text. The chants often call for one syllable to be sung across several notes.

---

Etymology

Origin of Gregorian chant

1745–55; named after Pope Gregory I; see -ian

Example Sentences

In one sequence, a solemn Gregorian chant pivots to a tango as Grace and Rocky’s ships connect airlock-to-airlock in spinning orbit.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

The Gregorian chant was never sung by human voices, but is The Word’s idea of what that kind of music should sound like.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2021

Many missed the Latin rite’s sense of mystery and awe and the centuries-old Gregorian chant that went with it.

From Reuters • Jul. 16, 2021

The term “classical music” is an inaccurate catchall for everything from solo piano works to Gregorian chant to contemporary instrumental sextets with electric guitar.

From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2018

The words of the Mass were to be sung to the Gregorian chant with solemnity and dignity, and by men and boys alone.

From Pope Pius the Tenth by Forbes, F. A. (Frances Alice)