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Hymnal Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hymnal

[ˈhɪm.nəl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

religious music

A hymnal is a book or collection of hymns, which are religious songs formulated for congregational worship. They often include musical notations that guide singers in performing the hymns. Hymnals are commonly used in Christian churches during services to facilitate collective worship. Beyond simply providing lyrics, many hymnals also contain supplementary materials such as prayers or scripture references.

Synonyms

hymn book, songbook, worship book.

Examples of usage

  • The congregation sang from the hymnal during the service.
  • She picked up the hymnal to find her favorite hymn.
  • Many churches distribute a hymnal to their members.
  • The old hymnal contained beautiful, handwritten notes.

Translations

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Origin of 'hymnal'

The word 'hymnal' originates from the Greek word 'hymnos', which means 'a song of praise'. This term evolved into Latin as 'hymnalis', referring to things of hymns, and made its way into Old French before entering the English language in the early 17th century. Hymnals became increasingly popular with the rise of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, as reformers encouraged congregational singing and personal engagement in worship. Over time, different denominations developed their own hymnals, reflecting the diversity of Christian musical expression. Today, hymnals can vary widely in content, ranging from traditional hymns dating back centuries to contemporary worship songs, reflecting the evolving nature of church music throughout history.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,896 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.