Hymn Definition

Poem written in praise of God and usually sung in Christian worship e.g. Light Shining Out of Darkness by William Cowper. Cowper collaborated with John Newton to write the Olney Hymns (1771-72).

Hymn Poem Example

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[n] a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
[v] praise by singing a hymn; "They hymned their love of God"
[v] sing a hymn

Synonyms

anthem

See Also...

canticle, choral, chorale, Dies Irae, dithyramb, doxology, exalt, extol, glorify, Internationale, laud, paean, pean, proclaim, recessional, religious song, sing, Te Deum

Related Terms

acknowledgment, Agnus Dei, alleluia, answer, anthem, antiphon, antiphony, aria, ballad, Benedicite, benediction, bless, bless the Lord, cantata, canticle, carol, celebrate, chant, chirp, chirrup, choir, chorale, chorus, church music, cognizance, credit, c

Misc. Definitions

\Hymn\, n. [OE. hympne, ympne, F. hymne, OF. also ymne, L. hymnus, Gr. ?; perh. akin to ? web, ? to weave, and so to E. weave.] An ode or song of praise or adoration; especially, a religious ode, a sacred lyric; a song of praise or thankgiving intended to be used in religious service; as, the Homeric hymns; Watts' hymns. Admonishing one another in psalms and hymns. --Col. iii. 1
6. Where angels first should practice hymns, and string Their tuneful harps. --Dryden. {Hymn book}, a book containing a collection of hymns, as for use in churches; a hymnal.
\Hymn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hymned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Hymning}.] [Cf. L. hymnire, Gr. ?.] To praise in song; to worship or extol by singing hymns; to sing. To hymn the bright of the Lord. --Keble. Their praise is hymned by loftier harps than mine. --Byron.
\Hymn\, v. i. To sing in praise or adoration. --Milton.