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Synonyms

chant

American  
[chant, chahnt] / tʃænt, tʃɑnt /
Obsolete, chaunt

noun

  1. a short, simple melody, especially one characterized by single notes to which an indefinite number of syllables are intoned, used in singing psalms, canticles, etc., in church services.

  2. a psalm, canticle, or the like, chanted or for chanting.

  3. the singing or intoning of all or portions of a liturgical service.

  4. any monotonous song.

  5. a song; singing.

    the chant of a bird.

  6. a monotonous intonation of the voice in speaking.

  7. a phrase, slogan, or the like, repeated rhythmically and insistently, as by a crowd.


verb (used with object)

  1. to sing to a chant, or in the manner of a chant, especially in a church service.

  2. to sing.

  3. to celebrate in song.

  4. to repeat (a phrase, slogan, etc.) rhythmically and insistently.

verb (used without object)

  1. to sing.

  2. to utter a chant.

chant British  
/ tʃɑːnt /

noun

  1. a simple song or melody

  2. a short simple melody in which several words or syllables are assigned to one note, as in the recitation of psalms

  3. a psalm or canticle performed by using such a melody

  4. a rhythmic or repetitious slogan, usually spoken or sung, as by sports supporters, etc

  5. monotonous or singsong intonation in speech

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to sing or recite (a psalm, prayer, etc) as a chant

  2. to intone (a slogan) rhythmically or repetitiously

  3. to speak or say monotonously as if intoning a chant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • chantable adjective
  • chanting noun
  • chantingly adverb
  • half-chanted adjective
  • unchanted adjective

Etymology

Origin of chant

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English chanten, from Middle French chanter, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere “to sing”; (noun) from French chant, from Latin cantus; canto

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Locals, some with dogs in tow, marched down Telluride’s main street chanting, “End it now!”

From The Wall Street Journal

They frequently chant slogans like, “Long live the shah!”

From The Wall Street Journal

As a former military man, he picked up the cadence of the cheer and started to hype the team with the chant.

From Los Angeles Times

Cambodian monks chanted blessings and scattered flowers Friday over 74 cultural artefacts returned to the country after being plundered by a notorious British antiques smuggler.

From Barron's

Manchester's Albert Hall echoes to the sound of a football chant - and although the recipient isn't part of England's starting 11, she's definitely a keeper.

From BBC