Gregorian chant


noun

the plain song or cantus firmus used in the ritual of the Roman Catholic Church.
a melody in this style.

Origin of Gregorian chant

1745–55; named after Pope Gregory I; see -ian

British Dictionary definitions for gregorian chant

Gregorian chant

noun

another name for plainsong

Cultural definitions for gregorian chant

Gregorian chant

The traditional music for Latin texts in the worship of the Roman Catholic Church. Gregorian chant is marked by performance in unison and by free-flowing rhythms that follow the phrasing of the text. The chants often call for one syllable to be sung across several notes.