anthem

noun

an·​them ˈan(t)-thəm 

1

: a song or hymn of praise or gladness

a patriotic anthem

2

: a usually rousing popular song that typifies or is identified with a particular subculture, movement, or point of view

anthems of teenage angst

3

a

: a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively

b

: a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the Scriptures

anthemic

ˌan(t)-ˈthē-mik 

-ˈthe-

adjective

Synonyms of anthem

• hymn
• psalm

Examples of anthem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Recorded a few months after Dogs came out, Megacity Madness spotlights several of the album’s most potent feel-bad anthems. —Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026

Travis Barker has worked with them, and every song is a Blink 182-level, class clown anthem about hot teachers and not wanting to leave your bedroom. —Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026

Just before midnight, the masterful mashup duo, Loud Luxury took the stage with a rapid-fire mashup set that jumped between throwbacks and club anthems in unexpected combinations. —Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2026

The players didn’t publicly disclose their views or explain their actions and sang the anthem before their next two matches. —ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English antem, from Old English antefn, from Late Latin antiphona, from Late Greek antiphōna, plural of antiphōnon, from Greek, neuter of antiphōnos responsive, from anti- + phōnē sound — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing anthem

• national anthem

Kids Definition

anthem

noun

an·​them ˈan(t)-thəm 

1

: a sacred composition with words usually from the Scriptures

2

: a song of praise or gladness