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

Full of cinematic strings and disorientating key changes, it sits alongside No Body, No Crime, Bad Blood and Vigilante S*** in Swift's expanding catalogue of revenge anthems.

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Once they had reached the security barriers, they also sang the national anthem.

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He played the national anthem on his electric guitar.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When the anthems play at Sunday's NFL game in Dublin, it will hit different for everyone involved.

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“Our audience is ragtag,” says Moninger, who first coined the “People’s Republic” term based on his love of obscure national anthems.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chant 
• chorus 
• hymn 
• melody