anthem

[ an-thuhm ]

noun

1. a song, as of praise, devotion, or patriotism:

   the national anthem of Spain; our college anthem.

2. a piece of sacred vocal music, usually with words taken from the Scriptures.
3. a hymn sung alternately by different sections of a choir or congregation.

verb (used with object)

1. to celebrate with or in an anthem.

anthem

/ ˈænθəm; ænˈθɛmɪk /

noun

1. a song of loyalty or devotion, as to a nation or college

   a national anthem

2. a musical composition for a choir, usually set to words from the Bible, sung as part of a church service
3. a religious chant sung antiphonally
4. a popular rock or pop song

Derived Forms

• anthemic, adjective

Other Words From

• an·them·ic [an-, theem, -ik, ‐-, them, ‐], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthem¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English antem, Old English antemn(e), antefne, from Late Latin antefana, antiphōna (feminine singular), from Greek antíphōna ( antiphon ); spelling with h probably by association with hymn, with pronunciation then changed to reflect spelling

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthem¹

Old English antemne, from Late Latin antiphōna antiphon

Example Sentences

It’s an empowerment anthem, sure, and Diane Warren has crafted many of those.

From Los Angeles Times

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

The game’s title screen is accompanied by swashbuckling orchestral music that nods to, of all things, the state anthem of the Soviet Union.

From New York Times

Team did not come out for national anthem but my son could hear it.

From Los Angeles Times

Tom Ogden wrote an indie-pop anthem about the incident, then dedicated their fifth album to the unfortunate inanimate ape.

From BBC

Related Words

• chant
• chorus
• hymn
• melody