chant
noun
a short, simple melody, especially one characterized by single notes to which an indefinite number of syllables are intoned, used in singing psalms, canticles, etc., in church services.
had been chanting
-
past perfect progressiveof chant.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Real ultras dressed all in white behind the goal had been chanting and clapping until that point, but when the Norwegian's spot-kick rippled the net in front of them they were silenced.
From BBC ● Dec. 10, 2025
More than 2,000 Garfield fans, who had been chanting “Let’s go Bulldogs,” rose to their feet.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2022
All game long, the sellout crowd had been chanting and cheering and chipping away at eardrums in a way T-Mobile Park hadn’t seen in years before this series.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 2, 2021
Protesters had been chanting “Let them in!” as Customs and Border Protection officials refused to allow lawyers into the closed-door screening area, despite a federal court order issued that evening.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 3, 2017
At one point, he even began to sing a little—but stopped abruptly when he realized he had been chanting Min’s throwing song.
From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park
