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

He could have done without the Fernandez controversy during pre-season, when the midfielder posted a video on social media showing him and his Argentina team-mates in a racist and discriminatory chant questioning the heritage of France's black and mixed-race players.

From BBC

The blue-and-white design for the Hammer includes the museum’s name on one side and, on the other, the chant “Art Will Save Us” — flanked by a pair of flaming volleyballs.

From Los Angeles Times

Much of Trump’s case against immigrants is just flat-out racism and xenophobia—there’s no other explanation for assertions like Stephen Miller’s chant of “America is for Americans and Americans only.”

From Slate

"One more game," they chant, as the cash prize fills a giant piggy-bank dangling above them.

From BBC

The "Timo Werner - he scores when he wants" chant that followed was heavily ironic, even if it was good-natured.

From BBC

Related Words

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