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

And on Saturday, July 4th, raise a glass and enjoy an evening filled with ice-cold brews, delicious bites and a soundtrack of classic rock, country and all-American anthems. —David Weiss, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Then, as the prime minister began to speak, protesters on nearby Whitehall blared out the choral strains of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the anthem of the European Union, which Britain voted to leave a decade ago. —Joe Mayes, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Team Melli was essentially the home team in the Los Angeles area for its second straight match in front of a stadium packed with fans from the diaspora both supporting the Iranians and decrying the government, with boos of the anthem and hundreds of pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flags displayed. —ABC News, 21 June 2026

Familiarizing a new generation of rap fans with the beat switch, the anthem features a production team that includes Hit-Boy, OZ, CuBeatz, Allen Ritter, and Travis Scott. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 June 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