hymn
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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a Christian song of praise sung to God or a saint
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a similar song praising other gods, a nation, etc
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have hymnedperfect
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has hymnedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been hymningperfect progressive
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has been hymningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am hymningprogressive 1st person singular
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are hymningprogressive
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hymningparticiple
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is hymningprogressive 3rd person singular
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hymnssingular 3rd person
Past
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had hymnedperfect
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had been hymningperfect progressive
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was hymningprogressive singular
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were hymningprogressive plural
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hymnedparticiple
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hymnedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of hymn
before 1000; < Latin hymnus < Greek hýmnos song in praise of gods or heroes; replacing Middle English ymne (< Old French ) and Old English ymn (< Late Latin ymnus )
Explanation
A hymn is a religious song, especially one praising God. People often sing hymns during church services. The word hymn comes from the Late Latin hymnus, "song of praise," and the Greek hymnos, "festive song in praise of gods or heroes." Though many people think of hymns as Christian, they're used in many other religions too, from ancient Greek hymns to deities, to Sikh hymns and Hindu hymns to many gods. What these songs have in common is giving thanks or praise to a god or gods.
Vocabulary lists containing hymn
Poetry: Genres
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Reading: Literature - Poetry - Middle School
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"Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." and "I Have a Dream"
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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.
Caedmon's Hymn is a nine line poem praising God for the creation of the world.
From Science Daily • May 17, 2026
The first extracts of her memoirs, titled "A Hymn to Life" and written with French author Judith Perrignon, were revealed late Tuesday ahead of the publication of the book in 22 languages on February 17.
From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026
Their marching song, the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” said it all: “As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.”
From Slate • Aug. 26, 2025
The 1847 battle over Mexico City is recalled on the U.S. side in the opening line of the Marines’ Hymn: “From the Halls of Montezuma ...”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2025
The Hymn is written objectively, simply, without a touch of affectation.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
