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

The song became her anthem – and the world's – with over 200 covers in more than 20 different languages. —Elisha Brown, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

More recently, Vasquez sang the patriotic anthem at the NFL matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in October 2025. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

So, half of the show turns into celebratory anthems that have come to dominate pop and musical theater. —Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 15 Dec. 2025

The 40-year-old singer Ryan Davis, a cowboy wiseacre with a drum machine and the patience for 11-minute anthems, riffs merrily on such existential mysteries. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

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