requiem

noun

re·​qui·​em

ˈre-kwē-əm,

 also  ˈrā-,

or

ˈrē- 

1

: a mass for the dead

2

a

: a solemn chant (such as a dirge) for the repose of the dead

b

: something that resembles such a solemn chant

3

a

: a musical setting of the mass for the dead

b

: a musical composition in honor of the dead

Synonyms

• dirge
• elegy
• lament
• threnody

Examples of requiem in a Sentence

the choir will sing Mozart's Requiem

Recent Examples on the Web

No dolphin will ever perform an autopsy, no dingo will read Heidegger, no macaque will write a requiem for piano and violin. —Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

The Last Showgirl is a requiem for any woman who has ever been underestimated because of her beauty, her choices, or her art (so, essentially, every woman ever to exist). —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024

As part of the ongoing requiem over the JCPOA’s all-but-certain demise, policymakers are trying to craft a Plan B. —Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2023

That changed to a requiem when Mays suddenly passed away at 93 on Tuesday. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin (first word of the introit of the requiem mass), accusative of requies rest, from re- + quies quiet, rest — more at while

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing requiem

• requiem shark

Kids Definition

requiem

noun

re·​qui·​em ˈrek-wē-əm 

 also  ˈrāk-,

 or  ˈrēk-

1

: a mass for a dead person

2

: a musical service or composition in honor of the dead

Etymology

Middle English requiem "a mass for the dead," from Latin requiem "rest," the first word of the phrase Requiem aeternum dona eis "Eternal rest grant to them," said or sung at the begining of the mass