requiem

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

requiem shark

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly requiem

: any of a family (Carcharhinidae) of sharks (such as the tiger shark or blue shark) that are found in tropical and temperate waters, are usually gray to brown above and yellow to white below, have a rounded snout with bladelike teeth, and include some that have been known to attack people

Synonyms of requiem

Noun (1)

• lament
• elegy
• dirge

Examples of requiem in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the choir will sing Mozart's Requiem

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The reason for the requiem Pulse was an Orlando gay bar where, on June 12, 2016, gunman Omar Mateen shot and killed 49 people and wounded another 58. — Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026

The biggest difference is probably how Laurie plays the final requiem. — Brent Lang, Variety, 4 May 2026

Noun

Sea bream—a fish which fed on mussels, snails and crustaceans—formed the lowest level of the food chain, followed by smaller shark species such as requiem sharks and the ancestors of today's cetaceans, dolphins and whales. — Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025

Smaller shark species such as requiem sharks and ancestors of today’s cetaceans, dolphins and whales, were next. — David Bressan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

obsolete French requiem shark, alteration of French requin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1896, in the meaning defined above

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

Noun

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