hymnody

American  

[him-nuh-dee] / ˈhɪm nə di /

noun

1. the singing or the composition of hymns or sacred songs.

2. hymns collectively, especially the collective hymns of a specific religion, place, or period.

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hymnody British  

/ hɪmˈnɒdɪkəl, ˈhɪmnədɪ /

noun

1. the composition or singing of hymns

2. hymns collectively

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Other Word Forms

• hymnodical adjective
• hymnodist noun

Etymology

Origin of hymnody

1705–15; < Medieval Latin hymnōdia < Greek hymnōidía chanting of a hymn, equivalent to hýmn ( os ) hymn + ōidía singing ( aoid- sing ( ode ) + -ia -ia )

Example Sentences

Mr. Marshall’s music drew on a wealth of styles, from 18th-century hymnody and lush Romanticism to mid-20th century electronic composition and minimalism — a breadth of influences that made his music almost impossible to classify.

From Washington Post

From spirituals to hymnody, and traditional Black gospel to the contemporary; the music of the Black church has always heralded the messages of its people, and its seasons of struggles and triumphs.

From Washington Post

“Partita for 8 Voices” is a pattern book of vocal styles: its movements are stitched together from plainchant, percussive breathing, Early American hymnody, and half a dozen other techniques.

From The New Yorker

This course will examine some of our best-loved hymn texts and look at the broader tradition of western hymnody.

From Washington Post

A Prologue, Passion and Epilogue, extending for more than an 1¾ hours, combine spoken text, cowboy song, American hymnody and popular song, spirituals, jazz and dazzling polyphony, all woven into a seamless tapestry.

From Washington Post