requiem

noun

re·​qui·​em

ˈre-kwē-əm,

 also  ˈrā-,

or

ˈrē- 

1

: a mass for the dead

2

a

: a solemn chant (such as a dirge) for the repose of the dead

b

: something that resembles such a solemn chant

3

a

: a musical setting of the mass for the dead

b

: a musical composition in honor of the dead

Synonyms

• lament
• elegy
• dirge

Examples of requiem in a Sentence

the choir will sing Mozart's Requiem

Recent Examples on the Web

Like many of the 27 tracks on her Grammy-winning album of the year, her Cowboy Carter and Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour is a requiem to Black artists who have helped shape country music and a reclamation of Americana for those who have been shut out. —Megan Thomas, CNN Money, 27 June 2025

Column Plug Two Rollie Pemberton A requiem for Trugoy and a rebirth for De La Soul. Column Unwritten Recipes Chantal Braganza Anyone who’s lived long enough to learn to feed themselves likely has some kind of biographical dish. —Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025

More than a century later, jazz pianist and composer Bobby West gives her what she was denied: a requiem. —Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025

The album thematically focuses on the idea of the afterlife in both a literal and figurative sense, with a touch of Carlile's anecdotal songwriting and requiems for artists' past. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin (first word of the introit of the requiem mass), accusative of requies rest, from re- + quies quiet, rest — more at while

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing requiem

• requiem shark

Kids Definition

requiem

noun

re·​qui·​em ˈrek-wē-əm 

 also  ˈrāk-,

 or  ˈrēk-

1

: a mass for a dead person

2

: a musical service or composition in honor of the dead

Etymology

Middle English requiem "a mass for the dead," from Latin requiem "rest," the first word of the phrase Requiem aeternum dona eis "Eternal rest grant to them," said or sung at the begining of the mass