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 ( see ode) + -ia -ia )

Example Sentences

“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 • Feb. 4, 2019

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

From Washington Post • Mar. 10, 2017

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 • Oct. 7, 2016

Opening with deep, grave heartbeat pulsations that recurred at intervals, he rifled through the instrument’s registrations, evoking Bach and Messiaen, horror-movie soundtracks and pan-spiritual hymnody.

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2011

This may be regarded as the golden age of Latin hymnody.

From The Story of Our Hymns by Ryden, Ernest Edwin