mantra

noun

man·​tra ˈmän-trə How to pronounce mantra (audio)
 also  ˈman-,
 or  ˈmən-
: a mystical formula of invocation (see invocation sense 2) or incantation (as in Hinduism)
also : watchword sense 2
"diversity" has become our multicultural mantra Manning Marable
mantric
ˈmän-trik How to pronounce mantra (audio)
 also  ˈman-
 or  ˈmən-
adjective

Examples of mantra in a Sentence

a businessman whose mantra is “bigger is better”
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.
Even with the team’s fourth ranked win of the year, Gates’ mantra has stayed the same from past weeks: The Tigers are still improving. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2025 The enemies within Putin repeats the words enemies within like a mantra and insists anyone who challenges him is a traitor who must be jailed — or worse. Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025 An increasing number of brands such as Chick-fil-A, Bud Light and Target — through policies and advertising campaigns — adopted a mantra of being more inclusive. Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 One of his hiring mantras was that comedy, as a humanizing force, is too important to be left to professionals. Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for mantra 

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit, sacred counsel, formula, from manyate he thinks; akin to Latin mens mind — more at mind

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mantra was in 1795

Dictionary Entries Near mantra

Cite this Entry

“Mantra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mantra. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

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