chant
Americannoun
-
chants
plural
-
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.
-
a psalm, canticle, or the like, chanted or for chanting.
-
the singing or intoning of all or portions of a liturgical service.
-
any monotonous song.
-
a song; singing.
the chant of a bird.
-
a monotonous intonation of the voice in speaking.
-
a phrase, slogan, or the like, repeated rhythmically and insistently, as by a crowd.
verb (used with object)
-
chants,
present (3rd person singular)
-
chanted,
past participle, past
-
chanting
present participle
-
to sing to a chant, or in the manner of a chant, especially in a church service.
-
to sing.
-
to celebrate in song.
-
to repeat (a phrase, slogan, etc.) rhythmically and insistently.
verb (used without object)
-
chants,
present (3rd person singular)
-
chanted,
past participle, past
-
chanting
present participle
-
to sing.
-
to utter a chant.
noun
-
a simple song or melody
-
a short simple melody in which several words or syllables are assigned to one note, as in the recitation of psalms
-
a psalm or canticle performed by using such a melody
-
a rhythmic or repetitious slogan, usually spoken or sung, as by sports supporters, etc
-
monotonous or singsong intonation in speech
verb
-
to sing or recite (a psalm, prayer, etc) as a chant
-
to intone (a slogan) rhythmically or repetitiously
-
to speak or say monotonously as if intoning a chant
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
chantsimple
-
chantssimple
-
have chantedperfect
-
has chantedperfect
-
am chantingprogressive
-
are chantingprogressive
-
is chantingprogressive
-
have been chantingperfect progressive
-
has been chantingperfect progressive
Past
-
chantedsimple
-
had chantedperfect
-
was chantingprogressive
-
were chantingprogressive
-
had been chantingperfect progressive
Future
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; see canto
Explanation
A chant is a type of song with a repetitive, monotonous structure. It’s also something sports fans love to do. At the Olympics, some Americans chant, “USA! USA! USA!” In addition to being something fans like to yell together, a chant is a traditional form in a lot of religious music. There are Catholic chants, Hindu chants, Jewish chants, and the list goes on. Because of this type of music, “to chant” means “to repeat something in a monotone or repetitive way.” Chants have no harmony or instruments, only a simple rhythm and a lot of repetition.
Vocabulary lists containing chant
The Lemonade War
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Brown Girl Dreaming
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Copper Sun
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She made them laugh, she made them cheer, she brought tears to the eyes of some and concluded with the rebel chant long associated with her that we shouted in unison — sí se puede.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
The chant roars through the sports center as Sen. Dan Sullivan revs up the crowd.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
He led a “Where is James Talarico?” chant at a rally.
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2026
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan joked that his mum was going to "absolutely hate this", as the the group gathered in a chant led by the booming voice of big dog actor Michael Sheen.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
But I did not go there to chant for freedom.
From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat
Only the chants of “Let’s Go Brewers!” echoing off the roof remained.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
As Doncic salted the game away, he was serenaded with chants of “MVP!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
By the time the teenager was replaced in the 74th minute, with Bradley Barcola taking over, the chants of "Rio, Rio, Rio" had repeatedly rung around Anfield.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
His speech was interrupted at one point by chants of "48" - a nod to Trump's successor, who will become the 48th US president if they win in 2028.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
They make me think of tribal dances around a fire, chants in a language I don’t know; stuff I’ve never seen with my own eyes, yet the thought of them feels like home.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
United fans once again chanted their opposition to a new stadium at Stamford Bridge during the Chelsea defeat.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
United supporters chanted Carrick's name as the former England international made his way to the tunnel after the match, but quickly directed boos at the players once Carrick had made his way off the pitch.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
Fans chanted this month for the firing of football coach Lincoln Riley — after years of underachieving — though the Trojans have defeated Washington and Penn State after an Oregon loss.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Around 30 PTI supporters in Peshawar briefly chanted slogans demanding Khan's release before being dispersed by police, only to return shortly afterwards in a game of cat and mouse, AFP journalists witnessed.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
I can still fix this, I chanted as the plane lifted off the tarmac.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
When Huerta relayed this exchange to a meeting of farmworkers later that night, the whole room jumped out of their seats and started chanting the line: “Sí, se puede! Sí, se puede!”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
Thousands of counter-protesters chanting anti-fascist slogans marched in the city.
From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026
Photos and video from the event showed students waving signs and chanting slogans like “58, out of date, let our onions speculate!”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026
Footage showed the two - along with others - climbing over police barricades before chanting slogans while holding the Indian flag.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
If the children are not ready to sing the song with a sung vocal ostinato, begin by chanting the song as a speech piece and adding one or more speech ostinato patterns.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
