1. The rhythmic or melodic chanting of words, especially the traditional chanting of biblical or liturgical texts in Jewish and Christian worship.
Usage: Often used in religious contexts; Also called cantillation marks or te'amim in Hebrew tradition
2. The system of musical notation or marks used to indicate how a text should be chanted or sung.
Usage: Technical term used in liturgical studies and musicology

Examples

• The cantor's cantillation of the Torah portion filled the synagogue with a solemn, melodic quality.
• Students learning Hebrew often study cantillation marks to understand proper pronunciation and phrasing.
• The ancient system of cantillation preserved the correct way to recite sacred texts for centuries.
• Gregorian chant is a form of cantillation used in Christian liturgy.
• The cantillation of the Psalms follows specific musical patterns that vary by tradition.
• Jewish cantillation traditions differ between Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities.
• Learning cantillation requires understanding both the musical and linguistic aspects of the text.