Gregorian chant

This term refers to a specific liturgical tradition characterized by its monophonic texture, meaning a single melodic line without harmonic accompaniment or instruments. It is deeply associated with the solemnity and austerity of Roman Catholic monastic life and the architectural acoustics of cathedrals.

Because it is a specialized musical genre, it is typically treated as an uncountable noun when referring to the style of music in general. When referring to specific compositions or pieces of music, the term "chant" may be pluralized, but the full phrase "Gregorian chant" usually functions as a mass noun describing the tradition.