Anthem Word Meaning

Old English antefn, antifne (denoting a composition sung antiphonally), from late Latin antiphona (see antiphon). The spelling with th, which began in the 16th century, was on the pattern of similar words such as Antony, Anthony

a rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause

rousing or uplifting song identified with particular group or cause

• the song became the anthem for hippy activists

a musical setting of a religious text to be sung by a choir during a church service, especially in Anglican or Protestant Churches.

musical setting of religious text to be sung by choir during church service