English Reference

Word

chanting

Phoneticschant·ing

US/ˈtʃæntɪŋ/

UK/tʃˈɑːntɪŋ/

Definition

n. the act of repeating words or a simple song over and over, often by a group of people.

n. the rhythmic repetition of words, phrases, or melodic sequences, often performed in unison by a group.

Examples

“The crowd began chanting the team's name after the goal.”

“Monks spent the early morning hours engaged in rhythmic chanting that echoed through the temple halls.”

“The rhythmic chanting of the protesters grew louder as they approached the parliament building, creating a powerful wall of sound that could be heard several blocks away.”

Examples

simple

“The crowd began chanting the team's name after the goal.”

contextual

“Monks spent the early morning hours engaged in rhythmic chanting that echoed through the temple halls.”

complex

“The rhythmic chanting of the protesters grew louder as they approached the parliament building, creating a powerful wall of sound that could be heard several blocks away.”

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun to describe a continuous sound.

Real-World Examples

“West Ham said: “We understand that singing and chanting is a traditional and deeply embedded part of the matchday experience.”
The Guardian · 20 Aug 2026
“Chelsea supporters appeared divided, with others responding by chanting his name.”
BBC News · 15 Aug 2026

Etymology

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

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synonyms

incantationsingingshouting

Word family

chantNounchantingNoun

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/chanting

English Reference