chant

[ chant, chahnt ]

noun

1. 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.
2. a psalm, canticle, or the like, chanted or for chanting.
3. the singing or intoning of all or portions of a liturgical service.
4. any monotonous song.
5. a song; singing:

   the chant of a bird.

6. a monotonous intonation of the voice in speaking.
7. a phrase, slogan, or the like, repeated rhythmically and insistently, as by a crowd.

verb (used with object)

1. to sing to a chant, or in the manner of a chant, especially in a church service.
2. to sing.
3. to celebrate in song.
4. to repeat (a phrase, slogan, etc.) rhythmically and insistently.

verb (used without object)

1. to sing.
2. to utter a chant.

chant

/ tʃɑːnt /

noun

1. a simple song or melody
2. a short simple melody in which several words or syllables are assigned to one note, as in the recitation of psalms
3. a psalm or canticle performed by using such a melody
4. a rhythmic or repetitious slogan, usually spoken or sung, as by sports supporters, etc
5. monotonous or singsong intonation in speech

verb

1. to sing or recite (a psalm, prayer, etc) as a chant
2. to intone (a slogan) rhythmically or repetitiously
3. to speak or say monotonously as if intoning a chant

Derived Forms

• ˈchantingly, adverb
• ˈchanting, nounadjective

Other Words From

• chanta·ble adjective
• chanting·ly adverb
• half-chanted adjective
• un·chanted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English chanten, from Middle French chanter, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere “to sing”; (noun) from French chant, from Latin cantus; canto

Word History and Origins

Origin of chant¹

C14: from Old French chanter to sing, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere to sing

Example Sentences

Yuan creates football content for the Chinese media market and was filming with celebrating Madrid fans who were - unknown to him - singing a racially offensive chant in Spanish about Chinese women, aimed at his colleague.

From BBC

Once the anthem stopped, he was able to raise his arm into the air and mouthed "Gracias" to the supporters chanting his name.

From BBC

As men chant ‘Your body, my choice’ in the aftermath of the presidential election, the horror film’s handling of its female characters is bitterly disappointing.

From Los Angeles Times

People carried the blue and white Russian opposition flag as well as Ukrainian flags, while chanting "no to war" and "Putin is a killer" in Russian.

From BBC

Trump waved to fans, who chanted "USA" as he walked to the octagon, before soaking in applause and dancing as the UFC played footage celebrating his election victory over Kamala Harris.

From BBC

Related Words

• hymn
• mantra
• melody
• shout
• singing
• tune