anthem

noun

an·​them ˈan(t)-thəm 

1

: a song or hymn of praise or gladness

a patriotic anthem

2

: a usually rousing popular song that typifies or is identified with a particular subculture, movement, or point of view

anthems of teenage angst

3

a

: a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively

b

: a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the Scriptures

anthemic

ˌan(t)-ˈthē-mik 

-ˈthe-

adjective

Synonyms

• canticle
• carol
• chorale
• hymn
• psalm
• spiritual

Examples of anthem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Donald Trump’s musings about annexations led to Canadians booing the U.S. anthem, which likely had something to do with all that fighting in the teams’ first meeting of the tournament. —Alex Kirshner, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025

The teams have a storied rivalry, regardless of anthems. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2025

Connor McDavid scored at 8:18 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States on Thursday night as the North American rivals turned what had been a tuneup for the 2026 Olympics into a geopolitical brawl over anthems and annexation as much as international hockey supremacy. —Jimmy Golen, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

Players on both teams — many on the Canadian team play on NHL teams located in the U.S. while some on the American squad play for the league’s Canadian franchises — condemned the booing of the anthem. —Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English antem, from Old English antefn, from Late Latin antiphona, from Late Greek antiphōna, plural of antiphōnon, from Greek, neuter of antiphōnos responsive, from anti- + phōnē sound — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing anthem

• national anthem

Kids Definition

anthem

noun

an·​them ˈan(t)-thəm 

1

: a sacred composition with words usually from the Scriptures

2

: a song of praise or gladness