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

• canticle
• carol
• chorale
• hymn
• psalm
• spiritual

Examples of anthem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wilson began the performance by playing the song’s familiar melody on his guitar before wrapping the anthem in baritone vocal notes. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025

The California desert anthem builds with acoustic guitar and a grooving bass line as Bergman reminisces about unrequited love and yearning. —Taylor Mims, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2025

The crowd of people below, estimated by the Vatican to be more than 35,000, erupted in cheers as a military band kicked off rounds of the Holy See anthem. —Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 2025

The emotional anthem slides from No. 37 to No. 39 in its fifty-second week on the Hot 100. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 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