A chant is a rhythmic, repetitive way of speaking or singing words, usually by a group of people together. When a crowd at a basketball game shouts “Defense! Defense! Defense!” over and over, they're chanting. When protesters march while calling out “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” they're using a chant to make their message powerful and unified.

Chants work because repetition and rhythm make words easier to remember and say together. Religious communities have used chants for thousands of years: Buddhist monks chant prayers in unison, and Gregorian chants in medieval churches created a solemn, echoing sound. The steady rhythm helps people focus and feel connected to something larger than themselves.

You might chant your team's name at a pep rally, or teachers might lead students in chanting times tables to help memorize them. The word can also be a verb: to chant means to speak or sing in this repetitive way. Whether it's for celebration, protest, prayer, or learning, chanting turns individual voices into one powerful sound that's hard to ignore.