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

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

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

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

It was like a Gregorian chant, and had but three notes, but to these she gave a marvelous variety.

From Prisoners of Conscience by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston