chant

song, singing

noun SHAHN Less Common

Origin: From Latin 'cantus', singing.

Usage Note

Chant refers to both the act of singing and a specific song or chant (un chant grégorien, Gregorian chant). The related verb is chanter, and a chanteur/chanteuse is a singer. Note that chanson is the more common word for a pop or folk song, while chant leans toward formal, religious, or choral music.

Examples

"Le chant des oiseaux le réveille chaque matin."

Natural Translation

The birds' singing wakes him every morning.

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