litany

noun

lit·a·ny ˈli-tə-nē

ˈlit-nē

plural litanies

: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate responses by the congregation

the Litany of the Saints

: a resonant or repetitive chant

a litany of cheering phrases—Herman Wouk

: a usually lengthy recitation or enumeration

a familiar litany of complaints

: a sizable series or set

a litany of problems

The drug has a litany of possible side effects.

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A Short History of Litany

How do we love the word litany? Let us count the ways. We love its original 13th century meaning, still in use today, referring to a call-and-response prayer in which a series of lines are spoken alternately by a leader and a congregation. We love how litany has developed in the intervening centuries three figurative senses, and we love each of these as well: first, a sense meaning “repetitive chant”; next, the “lengthy recitation” sense owing to the repetitious—and sometimes interminable—nature of the original litany; and finally, an even broader sense referring to any sizeable series or set. Though litanies of this third sort tend to be unpleasant, we choose today to think of the loveliness found in the idea of “a litany of sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

Examples of litany in a Sentence

He has a litany of grievances against his former employer. The team blamed its losses on a litany of injuries.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck leads in the NHL in a litany of categories, including wins (38), save percentage (.927), GAA (1.99), and shutouts (6). —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 While many cameras offer a litany of focus box sizes, tracking, and subject recognition options, the BF's focus system is pared down without getting in the way of functionality. —PCMAG, 14 Mar. 2025 Brooklyn Magistrate Judge Robert Levy ordered Rafael Caro Quintero and Vicente Carillo Fuentes held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after both pleaded not guilty to a litany of drug trafficking charges. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025 Fresh out of Congress, Katie Porter announced a campaign for governor Tuesday, joining a litany of candidates to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in an election that’s still 20 months away. —Nicole Nixon, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for litany

Word History

Etymology

Middle English letanie, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin litania, from Late Greek litaneia, from Greek, entreaty, from litanos supplicant

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of litany was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century