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.

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Gregorian chant British  

noun

1. another name for plainsong

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of Gregorian chant

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

Example Sentences

High Mass on Sundays begins with holy water sprinkled up the aisle, and it features plumes of incense and the sounds of bells, a pipe organ and Gregorian chant.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2022

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 Choir of Saint James: An Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols The ensemble performs works ranging from Gregorian chant to the present day.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2019

To Gregory we owe the canto fermo, or Gregorian chant, which, if properly executed, imparts such a grave and solemn character to the ceremonies of our church.

From Pagan and Christian Rome by Lanciani, Rodolfo Amedeo