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In ancient Greece, Paiā́n (or Paiṓn) was a name used for the god Apollo when in the guise of physician to the gods (Paiā́n/Paiṓn comes from the name of an older Mycenaean healer god). Paiā́n and paiṓn were also used to refer to hymns of thanksgiving and praise sung especially to Apollo, as was their Latin descendant, paean. When paean first appeared in English in the late 16th century, it was used both in the context of Greek history and in general for a joyous song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph. Over time, the word became even more generalized, and it is now used for any kind of tribute.
Examples of paean in a Sentence
David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
There’s Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott house, now a museum, its low planes a paean to the Midwestern prairie.
—Caitlin Hu, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
At first glance, the collection seemed to be a paean to rejects.
—Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
As a paean to the original, a full-scale 85-foot replica of the clocktower will be a star attraction.
—Jonathan Delise, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Paean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paean. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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paean
noun
