anthem

American  

[an-thuhm] / ˈæn θəm /

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.

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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

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

On Tuesday, a second U.S.-flagged vessel, the CS Anthem, a product tanker operated by Crowley Maritime, transited the strait using the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Sure, we also got Brandi Carlile singing “America the Beautiful” and Charlie Puth, one of the least objectionable people in showbiz, performing the National Anthem.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

Jayme Wernicke, a 34-year-old receptionist and single mother in Chico who earns about $49,000 a year, said she was transferred from Medi-Cal to a Covered California Anthem Blue Cross plan at the end of 2023.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Pop star Charlie Puth will perform the US National Anthem before the game, marking his Super Bowl debut.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

You might get the idea that they howled truth and beauty the way a seal bites out the National Anthem on a row of circus horns.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• chant
• chorus
• hymn
• melody