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

See Examples For:

anthem anthems

The Civil War then gave new meaning to Key’s verses as the Union’s anthem while the Confederacy embraced “Dixie.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

More than a decade after scam rap emerged from the buzzier, grimier corners of Detroit hip-hop, a scammer anthem from a South Floridian is arguably the song of the summer.

From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026

“Take a sip of water now,” Soulja Boy tells the crowd after performing his booty-shaking anthem “Donk.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

The national anthem was then played, followed by around 16 minutes of silence before the regular programme resumed.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

After we sang a welcoming song from the Catholic Hymnal, Mother Lucy read Matthew chapter five up to verse eleven, and then we sang the national anthem.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Mahalia Jackson’s gospel anthems and Harry Belafonte’s interpretations of calypso music took on special relevance for the civil-rights movement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

One of the most recognisable singer-songwriters of the 1970s, Simon was known for her emotionally honest, piano-led pop anthems, and intricate character studies.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

And just like she promises in my summer staple, Bonnie Tyler’s huge choruses and blockbuster anthems will be ravishing us until the end of this endless night.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

One thing that can unite us all — and all lovers of liberty, for that matter — is those Latin American national anthems.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

Though never accorded any official title, Handel contributed grand anthems and orchestral suites for the Hanover Georges, from the Water Music to the Music for the Royal Fireworks, for the rest of his life.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• chant
• chorus
• hymn
• melody