chant

American  

[chant, chahnt] / tʃænt, tʃɑnt /

Obsolete, chaunt

noun

1. a short, simple melody, especially one characterized by single notes to which an indefinite number of syllables are intoned, used in singing psalms, canticles, etc., in church services.

2. a psalm, canticle, or the like, chanted or for chanting.

3. the singing or intoning of all or portions of a liturgical service.

4. any monotonous song.

5. a song; singing.

   the chant of a bird.

6. a monotonous intonation of the voice in speaking.

7. a phrase, slogan, or the like, repeated rhythmically and insistently, as by a crowd.

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verb (used with object)

1. to sing to a chant, or in the manner of a chant, especially in a church service.

2. to sing.

3. to celebrate in song.

4. to repeat (a phrase, slogan, etc.) rhythmically and insistently.

verb (used without object)

1. to sing.

2. to utter a chant.

chant British  

/ tʃɑːnt /

noun

1. a simple song or melody

2. a short simple melody in which several words or syllables are assigned to one note, as in the recitation of psalms

3. a psalm or canticle performed by using such a melody

4. a rhythmic or repetitious slogan, usually spoken or sung, as by sports supporters, etc

5. monotonous or singsong intonation in speech

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verb

1. to sing or recite (a psalm, prayer, etc) as a chant

2. to intone (a slogan) rhythmically or repetitiously

3. to speak or say monotonously as if intoning a chant

Other Word Forms

• chantable adjective
• chanting noun
• chantingly adverb
• half-chanted adjective
• unchanted adjective

Etymology

Origin of chant

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English chanten, from Middle French chanter, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere “to sing”; (noun) from French chant, from Latin cantus; canto

Example Sentences

He has gained traction in Iran in recent months as an opposition figure, with some demonstrators in the January protests chanting his name.

From BBC

We follow the sound of shouts and chants to the back of the house.

From Literature

While the other children shrieked and chanted, the girl did not sing.

From Literature

Fans that had supported him all week broke out in chants of “Gary!”

From The Wall Street Journal

Woodland received a warm reception from the crowd down the stretch, which turned to rapturous applause and chants of "Gary, Gary" as he sank his putt for victory.

From BBC

Related Words

• hymn
• mantra
• melody
• shout
• singing
• tune