God Save the King

proper noun

The national anthem of the United Kingdom when the current monarch is a king.

“The Queen is dead! God save the King!”

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. The national anthem of the United Kingdom when the current monarch is a king.

    It is a strange fact, but it is unquestionably true that almost any English intellectual would feel more ashamed of standing to attention during “God save the King” than of stealing from a poor box.

    1941, George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn
interjection
  1. AustraliaCanadaNew ZealandUKAn expression of one’s patriotism and hope for the long life of the monarch, especially in his presence.
  2. UKA formal statement at the end of many proclamations issued by the King or in his name.
  3. UKA formal declaration following the death of a reigning monarch when the next monarch is male.

    The Queen is dead! God save the King!

Origin

Based on an Old English translation of 2 Kings 11:12 likely made by Dunstan for King Edgar's coronation in 973.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

God Save the King. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/God%20Save%20the%20King

MLA

“God Save the King.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/God%20Save%20the%20King. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “God Save the King,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/God%20Save%20the%20King.

Source: God Save the King on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.