(italics) an ancient Latin hymn of praise to God, in the form of a psalm, sung regularly at matins in the Roman Catholic Church and, usually, in an English translation, at Morning Prayer in the Anglican Church, as well as on special occasions as a service of thanksgiving.
a musical setting of this hymn.
a service of thanksgiving in which this hymn forms a prominent part.
an ancient Latin hymn in rhythmic prose, sung or recited at matins in the Roman Catholic Church and in English translation at morning prayer in the Church of England and used by both Churches as an expression of thanksgiving on special occasions
a musical setting of this hymn
a service of thanksgiving in which the recital of this hymn forms a central part
< Late Latin, first two words of the hymn, which begins: Tē Deum laudāmus we praise thee God
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He also castigated Argentina’s political leaders during the traditional Te Deum service, often with the president in attendance.
From New York Times ● Sep. 18, 2015
The choir sang William Walton's setting of Te Deum Laudamus, composed for the Coronation, as the Queen's procession left the abbey.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2013
The pope continues his Christmas and New Year's celebrations on Dec 31 with a year-end Mass of thanksgiving known by its Latin name Te Deum.
From Reuters ● Dec. 25, 2011
The climactic Act I Te Deum comes complete with choirboys and birettas, maniples and chasubles.
From The Guardian ● May 22, 2010
He asked me—no, he ordered me—to show up at the cathedral at eleven the next morning to attend the Te Deum with which the nation would express its victory over Communism.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
The contemporary composer Arvo Pärt’s “Te Deum” is the other extreme, a mystical rendering of a Christian hymn accompanied by samples of a wind harp’s low drone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 6, 2022
Lully stabbed himself in the toe with his own invention while conducting the “Te Deum” and consequently died of gangrene: “High-handedness is what / The mass holds dear, but poets love / Your sacrificial foot.”
From New York Times ● Jun. 24, 2020
A “Te Deum” and one of the Coronation Anthems, “The King shall rejoice,” are festive and brilliant, but Caroline’s funeral anthem, “The ways of Zion do mourn,” is exquisite, somber, burning with sadness.
From New York Times ● Mar. 19, 2015
Their chilly relations became crystal clear after the Kirchners several years ago stopped attending the church’s annual “Te Deum” address challenging society to do better, which is delivered each May 25.
From Salon ● Mar. 18, 2013
After the “Te Deum” had been sung five canons or their vicars, clad in albs and amices, entered by the great door of the choir, and proceeded towards the apse.
From Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan by Miles, Clement A.
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.
