chant

1 of 2

verb

ˈchant 

chanted; chanting; chants

intransitive verb

1

: to make melodic sounds with the voice

especially : to sing a chant

2

: to recite something in a monotonous repetitive tone

protesters were chanting outside

transitive verb

1

: to utter as in chanting

2

: to celebrate or praise in song or chant

chant

2 of 2

noun

1

: song sense 1

2

a

: plainsong

b

: a rhythmic monotonous utterance or song

c

: a composition for chanting

Synonyms

Verb

• sing

Examples of chant in a Sentence

Verb

The crowd began chanting her name.

They chanted “Sara, Sara” until she came back on stage.

Protesters were chanting outside the governor's home.

They were chanting in Arabic.

Priests chanted the Catholic Mass in Latin.

Noun

Our chant was “Peace now, peace now!”.

Chant is often used as a form of meditation and prayer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On Saturday nights, when the Jewish Sabbath ends, Elia chants the zemirot, the traditional table hymns. —Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025

By the game’s end, fans chanted ‘Gally’ for Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher, who notched three assists, instead of ‘Chabby’ for Chabot. —Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Noun

In the same way as old folk songs were passed down through the generations, usually by word of mouth, so chants survive as people come and go. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

Trust and appreciation might not cause fans to line the sidewalks outside BMO Field hoping for a glimpse of the team bus and inspire chants more than 1,000 miles away from Miami. —Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English chaunten, from Anglo-French chanter, from Latin cantare, frequentative of canere to sing; akin to Old English hana rooster, Old Irish canid he sings

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing chant

• Gregorian chant

Rhymes for chant

• ant
• aunt
• cant
• gant
• lant
• pant
• plant
• quant
• rant
• sant
• scant
• slant

Kids Definition

chant

1 of 2 verb

ˈchant 

1

: to sing especially in the way a chant is sung

2

: to recite or speak with no change in tone

chanter noun

chant

2 of 2 noun

1

: a melody in which several words or syllables are sung in one tone

2

: something spoken in the style of a chant

Etymology

Verb

Middle English chaunten "to chant," from early French chanter (same meaning), derived from Latin canere "to sing" — related to cant entry 3, cantata, chantey, charm