anthem

American  

[an-thuhm] / ˈæn θəm /

noun

anthems plural

1. a song, as of praise, devotion, or patriotism.

   the national anthem of Spain; our college anthem.

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

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to celebrate with or in an anthem.

anthem British  

/ ˈænθəm, ænˈθɛmɪk /

noun

1. a song of loyalty or devotion, as to a nation or college

   a national anthem

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

3. a religious chant sung antiphonally

4. a popular rock or pop song

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• anthemic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• anthems
  plural

Etymology

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

Explanation

Rousing, reverential, sometimes even revolutionary, an anthem is a song that represents the ideals of a group of people. Anthem comes from Old English antefn. The original word meant a song sung antiphonally, or in turns by two groups of singers. Today, anthem has little to do with the way the vocals are arranged and more to do with the content of the message. When a group of people sing an anthem, whether it’s the national anthem, or the anthem of your third-grader’s beetle-collecting club, they express their devotion to a cause they identify with.

Example Sentences

One song that is sure to be featured during the set is this year’s World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” by Shakira and Burna Boy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

Supporters lined the roads five hours before kick-off, the noise at kick-off was deafening, with some Mexico supporters in tears as they sang the national anthem.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026

Jota’s image was shown on the big screen during the playing of Portugal’s national anthem before the game.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2026

Ceuzany, who has since received numerous messages and has engaged with women who are victims of domestic violence, has turned the song into an anthem of liberation and self-empowerment.

From Barron's • Jul. 2, 2026

It was the holy hymn taken from the bone and sinew of the family’s life together, the anthem of both their discontent and strange belabored love for their way of life.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• chant
• chorus
• hymn
• melody