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

A woman handing out party leaflets in downtown Buenos Aires says she rocked her babies to sleep not with lullabies, but the Peronist anthem “Viva Perón!”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He was also commissioned by Fortnite - which he has said shaped his story as an artist - to create the game's first official anthem, Locked & Loaded.

Read more on BBC

Fans raised scarves and joined in as 'You'll Never Walk Alone', Liverpool's club anthem, was sung by Beard's niece Lucy at the end of an emotional service, which was attended by around 600 people.

Read more on BBC

The anthem heard in the film, he explains, is not the official national anthem of today’s Iran, but an older song that people identify with, rather than one that the regime has assigned them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The film's anthem Golden, sung by Huntr/x, has spent eight weeks at number one, tying Sugar Sugar by The Archies for the most time at the top of the charts by an animated act.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• chant 
• chorus 
• hymn 
• melody