anthem

[ an-thuhm ]

/ ˈæn θəm /

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See synonyms for anthem on Thesaurus.com

noun

a song, as of praise, devotion, or patriotism: the national anthem of Spain; our college anthem.

a piece of sacred vocal music, usually with words taken from the Scriptures.

a hymn sung alternately by different sections of a choir or congregation.

verb (used with object)

to celebrate with or in an anthem.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of anthem

First recorded before 1000; Middle English antem, Old English antemn(e), antefne, from Late Latin antefana, antiphōna (feminine singular), from Greek antíphōna (see antiphon); spelling with h probably by association with hymn, with pronunciation then changed to reflect spelling

OTHER WORDS FROM anthem

an·them·ic

[an-theem-ik, ‐them‐], /ænˈθim ɪk, ‐ˈθɛm‐/, adjective

Words nearby anthem

Antheil, anthelic arc, anthelion, anthelix, anthelmintic, anthem, anthema, anthemion, Anthemius of Tralles, anther, antheridiophore

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use anthem in a sentence

Leave it to Jhené Aiko to serve up a politically-charged anthem that’ll make you bob your head.
Jhené Aiko Makes Voting A Vibe On Laid Back New Song|cmurray|October 6, 2020|Essence.com
Support for athletes kneeling during the national anthem has steadily increased over the past four years.
Americans Are Far More Likely To Support Athlete Protests Than They Once Were|Michael Tesler|September 3, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
For example, the share in Fox News Polls who thought that kneeling during the anthem was appropriate increased from 32 percent in September 2016 to 41 percent in September 2017 to 48 percent in July 2020.
Americans Are Far More Likely To Support Athlete Protests Than They Once Were|Michael Tesler|September 3, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
When NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick first knelt during the national anthem four years ago, public opinion was still largely against him.
Americans Are Far More Likely To Support Athlete Protests Than They Once Were|Michael Tesler|September 3, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

That advice was crucial in 2018, when, while running for the Senate, he was asked about Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem.
Beto O’Rourke Says Trump Should Be Prosecuted|Nick Fouriezos|September 1, 2020|Ozy
“If BMW is ‘the ultimate driving machine,’ your Anthem is the ultimate differentiator,” writes Hogshead.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?|Lizzie Crocker|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People were singing the national anthem as the whole front of the National Palace was obscured by a smoke cloud.
Mexican Protesters Look to Start a New Revolution|Jason McGahan|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You mentioned Ecleftic, and the strip club anthem “Perfect Gentleman” is on there.
Wyclef Jean Talks Lauryn Hill, the Yele Haiti Controversy, and Chris Christie|Marlow Stern|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“She not only won the biggest singing competition in the world, her song “Diva” became a trans anthem,” said Kallai.
Trans in the Holy Land: ‘Marzipan Flowers,’ Tal Kallai, and the Shattering of Israel’s LGBT Taboos|Itay Hod|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They might have played the Miss America anthem, “There She Is!”
The Sexy Dream of the 747|Clive Irving|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After dinner, and so to chappell again; and there had another good anthem of Captain Cooke's.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete|Samuel Pepys
The anthem was good after sermon, being the fifty-first psalme, made for five voices by one of Captain Cooke's boys, a pretty boy.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete|Samuel Pepys
And here I first perceived that the King is a little musicall, and kept good time with his hand all along the anthem.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete|Samuel Pepys
Again the bands broke into the strains of the national anthem; but immediately they swung into a rollicking cavalry air.
The Way of a Man|Emerson Hough
Kit Rhodes decided Marto was entirely correct as to the inspiration back of that anthem.
The Treasure Trail|Marah Ellis Ryan

British Dictionary definitions for anthem

anthem

/ (ˈænθəm) /

noun

a song of loyalty or devotion, as to a nation or collegea national anthem

a musical composition for a choir, usually set to words from the Bible, sung as part of a church service

a religious chant sung antiphonally

a popular rock or pop song

Derived forms of anthem

anthemic (ænˈθɛmɪk), adjective

Word Origin for anthem

Old English antemne, from Late Latin antiphōna antiphon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

anthem

Origin of anthem

OTHER WORDS FROM anthem

Words nearby anthem

Words related to anthem

How to use anthem in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for anthem

Derived forms of anthem

Word Origin for anthem