anthem Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)
  2. noun a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
    hymn.

WordNet

An"them noun
Etymology
OE. antym, antefne, AS. antefen, fr. LL. antiphona, fr. Gr. , neut. pl. of antiphon, or anthem, n. neut., from sounding contrary, returning a sound; over against + sound, voice: the anthem being sung by the choristers alternately, one half-choir answering the other: cf. OF. anthaine, anteine, antieune, F. antienne. See Antiphon.
Definitions
  1. Formerly, a hymn sung in alternate parts, in present usage, a selection from the Psalms, or other parts of the Scriptures or the liturgy, set to sacred music.
  2. A song or hymn of praise. Milton.
An"them transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To celebrate with anthems. Poet.
    Sweet birds antheming the morn. Keats.

Webster 1913