requiem

noun

re·​qui·​em

ˈre-kwē-əm,

 also  ˈrā-,

or

ˈrē- 

1

: a mass for the dead

2

a

: a solemn chant (such as a dirge) for the repose of the dead

b

: something that resembles such a solemn chant

3

a

: a musical setting of the mass for the dead

b

: a musical composition in honor of the dead

Synonyms

• dirge
• elegy
• lament
• threnody

Examples of requiem in a Sentence

the choir will sing Mozart's Requiem

Recent Examples on the Web

The album thematically focuses on the idea of the afterlife in both a literal and figurative sense, with a touch of Carlile's anecdotal songwriting and requiems for artists' past. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025

Whether a requiem is due for rom-coms or not, in the meantime there's at least a conveyor belt of cringe to feast upon. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025

The funeral procession begins with a sorrowful requiem but transitions into a celebration of life — reminding us that life extends beyond death, that grief is not the absence of love but an extension of it. —Mathew Holloway, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025

Column Plug Two Rollie Pemberton A requiem for Trugoy and a rebirth for De La Soul. —Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin (first word of the introit of the requiem mass), accusative of requies rest, from re- + quies quiet, rest — more at while

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing requiem

• requiem shark

Kids Definition

requiem

noun

re·​qui·​em ˈrek-wē-əm 

 also  ˈrāk-,

 or  ˈrēk-

1

: a mass for a dead person

2

: a musical service or composition in honor of the dead

Etymology

Middle English requiem "a mass for the dead," from Latin requiem "rest," the first word of the phrase Requiem aeternum dona eis "Eternal rest grant to them," said or sung at the begining of the mass