litany

noun

lit·​a·​ny ˈli-tə-nē 

ˈlit-nē

plural litanies

1

: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregation

the Litany of the Saints

2

a

: a resonant or repetitive chant

a litany of cheering phrases

—Herman Wouk

b

: a usually lengthy recitation or enumeration

a familiar litany of complaints

c

: a sizable series or set

a litany of problems

The drug has a litany of possible side effects.

Did you know?

A Short History of Litany

How do we love the word litany? Let us count the ways. We love its original 13th century meaning, still in use today, referring to a call-and-response prayer in which a series of lines are spoken alternately by a leader and a congregation. We love how litany has developed in the intervening centuries three figurative senses, and we love each of these as well: first, a sense meaning “repetitive chant”; next, the “lengthy recitation” sense owing to the repetitious—and sometimes interminable—nature of the original litany; and finally, an even broader sense referring to any sizeable series or set. Though litanies of this third sort tend to be unpleasant, we choose today to think of the loveliness found in the idea of “a litany of sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

Examples of litany in a Sentence

He has a litany of grievances against his former employer.

The team blamed its losses on a litany of injuries.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thousands of people have vacated their homes in Malibu, California, due to the Franklin Fire setting the city ablaze, including a litany of high-profile residents. —Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024

Purchasing single barrels can get a bit complicated, especially given America’s three-tier system of liquor distribution, combined with a litany of different sales laws across states. —David Thomas Tao, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

In part because of the time off and in part because of the bottom-line result — a 41-32 Monday night win over Cleveland — the Broncos will be spared too much sting despite a litany of mistakes. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2024

Check The Tennessean frequently during the holiday season for the litany of holiday festivities throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English letanie, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin litania, from Late Greek litaneia, from Greek, entreaty, from litanos supplicant

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

litany

noun

lit·​a·​ny ˈlit-ᵊn-ē 

ˈlit-nē

plural litanies

: a prayer consisting of a series of lines spoken alternately by a leader and the congregation