anthem

[an-thuhm]

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to celebrate with or in an anthem.

anthem

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• anthemic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthem¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthem¹

Old English antemne, from Late Latin antiphōna _antiphon

Example Sentences

The galvanizing anthem, written for the film by Stephen Schwartz, was a technical and emotional feat.

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Under Nicholas’s reign, the Russian national anthem was “God Save the Tsar,” and the Russian national opera was A Life for the Tsar: A Patriotic Heroic-Tragic Opera.

Read more on Literature

After a few choruses of “All Hail to the Land Incorrigible,” the national anthem that they began making up on the spot, all three children finally declined and fell into their beds.

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The other newly added song, “No Place Like Home,” empowers Erivo to turn Judy Garland’s famous line into a radicalized political anthem.

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From the acapella national anthem to the supporters' songbook and the way the simmering atmosphere inspires players to scale new heights, these are occasions to stir the soul.

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Related Words

• chant 
• chorus 
• hymn 
• melody