Gregorian chant

noun

: a monodic and rhythmically free liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church

Examples of Gregorian chant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The traditional opening is a slow, candlelit procession into the church, cathedral or mission while the singers perform some Gregorian chant. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2024

The song features Timbaland’s iconic Gregorian chant, giving it a divine and almost ethereal feel. —Ben Welles, SPIN, 28 Oct. 2024

The monks have appeared periodically in the Tribune since then, and have been named in local publications recognizing their tradition of Gregorian chant and the contrast between their institution and Bridgeport. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 20 Oct. 2024

From the cave paintings of Lascaux to the Gregorian chants of medieval churches to the Renaissance’s Mona Lisa, art has chronicled the human experience, transcending time and geography. —Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2024

For 300 years, it was perched in a cathedral in Piacenza and read by a choir which stood in the distance and sang the notes to a Gregorian chant. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

In addition to Gregorian chant, the concert will include music by composers noted for their profoundly mystical works, like Palestrina, Arvo Pärt and Olivier Messiaen. —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2024

Duruflé was devoted to Gregorian chant, and his Requiem is based on plainchant themes taken from the traditional Catholic Mass of the Dead. —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024

Ethel Cain Emerging singer-songwriter Ethel Cain is known for an ethereal sound inspired by Gregorian chants and her experience growing up as a trans woman in a Christian family. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Gregorian chant

• ant
• aunt
• cant
• gant
• lant
• pant
• plant
• quant
• rant
• sant
• scant
• slant

Kids Definition

Gregorian chant

noun

: a simple tune with no regular rhythm that is sung in unison and without accompaniment in services of the Roman Catholic Church