hymn

noun \ ˈhim \

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Examples: hymn in a Sentence

Definition of hymn

1 a : a song of praise to God

sing a hymn of thanksgiving

b : a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious service

a book of hymns

2 : a song of praise or joy

in jolly hymns they praise the god of wine
—John Dryden

3 : something resembling a song of praise : paean

The novel is a hymn to childhood and innocence.

—

hymnlike

play \ˈhim-ˌlīk\ adjective

See hymn defined for English-language learners

See hymn defined for kids

Examples of hymn in a Sentence

sing a hymn of praise
our Sunday church services always open with a hymn

Recent Examples of hymn from the Web

Inside the waiting room of one of the largest immigration detention compounds in America, women in prison uniforms are singing hymns.

— dianna m. náñez, azcentral, "Reunited or deported? Mother in ICE detention faces the inevitable," 12 July 2018
And a father who embarrassed every one of them by singing hymns at the top of his lungs.

— mark curnutte, Cincinnati.com, "He was Daddy: How his eldest daughter remembers Bobby Kennedy," 14 June 2018
Sloan said Tuesday that the song is a religious hymn sung at his Baptist church and the report on his firing took his actions out of context.

— ryan randazzo, azcentral, "Arizona Corporation Commission candidate was fired by state for harassing workers," 10 July 2018
There are hymns that date back a century or more, sung with immediacy and urgency.

— christopher arnott, courant.com, "An Exhilarating, Riveting 'Crowns' At Long Wharf," 26 Apr. 2018
But maybe the signature hymn that closed his services for many years should become our new national anthem.

— loren a. yadon, idahostatesman, "In these trying times, return to Jesus and the simplicity of faith for renewal," 12 July 2018
In a prayer service punctuated by haunting Arabic chant and Catholic hymn, Francis said the Orthodox and Catholic leaders wanted to give voice to those who have none.

— trisha thomas and nicole winfield, Fox News, "Pope and Orthodox patriarchs pray for Mideast Christians," 7 July 2018
The group marched to the Justice Department and then on toward the Hart Senate Office Building, singing hymns and protest chants in both English and Spanish along the way.

— renae reints, Fortune, "Nearly 600 Arrested in Washington #WomenDisobey Protest," 29 June 2018
New York Times The wedding ceremony was based on Common Worship, the most modern of several Church of England service options, and consisted of prayers and hymns.

— BostonGlobe.com, "After generations of aristocratic weddings, one reflects modern Britain," 19 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hymn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hymn

Middle English ymne, from Old English ymen, from Latin hymnus song of praise, from Greek hymnos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

hymn Synonyms

Synonyms

accolade, citation, commendation, dithyramb, encomium, eulogy, homage, paean, panegyric, salutation, tribute;

Near Antonyms

censure, condemnation, denunciation, indictment, rebuke, reprimand, reproof;

admonition, correction, harangue, lecture, sermon;

acclaim, acclamation, laudation;

applause, plaudit(s);

bravo, hallelujah, kudo;

approval, cachet, compliment, recommendation;

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

hymn

verb

Definition of hymn

hymned play \ˈhimd\; hymning play \ˈhi-miŋ\

transitive verb

: to praise or worship in or as if in hymns (see ¹hymn)

the heroes who are hymned in this book

intransitive verb

: to sing a song that praises God : to sing a hymn

listening to the choir hymn

Examples of hymn in a Sentence

during the honeymoon following the inauguration, newspaper articles seemed to hymn the president's every move

Recent Examples of hymn from the Web

But the wounds sustained and inflicted by cheating hearts, so often hymned by Nashville balladeers, are a specialty of Mr. Lonergan.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Shame and Guilt Drives Several New Productions, Which Is Good for Us," 18 Feb. 2016

Origin and Etymology of hymn

see ¹hymn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1667

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

hymn Synonyms

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

HYMN Defined for English Language Learners

hymn

noun

Definition of hymn for English Language Learners

: a religious song : a song that praises God

HYMN Defined for Kids

hymn

noun \ ˈhim \

Definition of hymn for Students

: a song of praise especially to God

Learn More about hymn

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hymn Spanish Central: Translation of hymn Nglish: Translation of hymn for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hymn for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hymn

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hymn

Definition of hymn

hymnlike

Examples of hymn in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hymn from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hymn

hymn Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Music Terms

hymn

Definition of hymn

Examples of hymn in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hymn from the Web

Origin and Etymology of hymn

hymn Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Music Terms

HYMN Defined for English Language Learners

hymn

Definition of hymn for English Language Learners

HYMN Defined for Kids

hymn

Definition of hymn for Students

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