hymn

noun \ ˈhim \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

The hymn was also sung at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011.

— stacey leasca, Glamour, "Here's How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Paid Tribute to Diana During Their Royal Wedding," 19 May 2018
Before long, the ensemble is singing hymns of praise to Stalin.

— stephanie zacharek, Time, "Cannes Review: Cold War Is a Terrific Romantic Drama That Burns Clean," 11 May 2018
By the end, when the feuding students have learned the errors of their divergent ways, high-volume hymns of uplift have taken over.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: ‘Mean Girls’ Sets the Perils of Being Popular to Song," 8 Apr. 2018
Young played John Newton, who wrote the lyrics to the hymn that gives the show its name.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'Soul Doctor' stars bring diverse backgrounds, experience to musical roles," 27 Mar. 2018
And the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band will make the Normandy countryside ring with hymns of the United States Armed Services.

— lawrence toppman, charlotteobserver, "His great-uncle died at D-Day in Normandy. Now this veteran, and his bandmates, will march there. | Charlotte Observer," 23 May 2018
Applause broke out in the audience as the court adjourned, while the defendants embraced each other and sang the hymn of the army.

— Washington Post, "Guatemala: 4 ex-officers convicted of 1981 rights abuses," 23 May 2018
The hymn was sung at Princess Diana's funeral nearly 21 years ago, when Prince Harry was just 12 years old.

— caitlin o'kane, CBS News, "Emotion overcomes Prince Harry during hymn also sung at Princess Diana's funeral," 21 May 2018
Two centuries earlier, Martin Luther also wrote hymns for the church.

— elaine schmidt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lost in the rubble of Trinity church, a 'priceless and irreplaceable' pipe organ from 1879," 18 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

Learn More about hymn

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