Standard Lemma guide

chanting

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: CH AE1 N T IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Singing, especially as a chant is sung.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Examples

  • I remember much chanting in church during my childhood.
  • The Synod of Aberdeen forbade 'chantings and choruses' at funerals.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

present participle and gerund of chant

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the act of singing in a monotonous tone

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: intonation

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: singing, vocalizing

Narrower terms: cantillation

History

Etymology

From Middle English chauntynge; equivalent to chant + -ing.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: canturreo — singing, especially as a chant is sung