chant: Meaning and Definition of

chant

Pronunciation: (chant, chänt), [key]
— n.
  1. a short, simple melody, esp. 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.
—v.t.
  1. to sing to a chant, or in the manner of a chant, esp. in a church service.
  2. to sing.
  3. to celebrate in song.
  4. to repeat (a phrase, slogan, etc.) rhythmically and insistently.
—v.i.
  1. to sing.
  2. to utter a chant.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: