mantra

noun

man·​tra ˈmän-trə 

 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 

 also  ˈman-

 or  ˈmən-

adjective

Examples of mantra in a Sentence

a businessman whose mantra is “bigger is better”

Recent Examples on the Web

Drew Barrymore is living by her mantra that sharing your story will make others feel less alone. —Wendy Naugle, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

Recite some intentional mantras to bolster your belief in yourself. —Essence Lifestyle, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024

The mantra for pro-housing advocates is that creating an adequate supply of homes will lower prices. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024

Tesla’s market cap has fallen about 30% this year, spurring the company to scrap Musk’s no-advertising mantra. —Steve Mollman, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024

Days before the Sunday event, Sweeny talked to PEOPLE about her current style mantra. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024

Yet even repeating that mantra took all of my energy. —Hazlitt, 13 Mar. 2024

But that mantra becomes harder to repeat at his lowest moments. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024

Future Ted regularly repeats the mantra ''Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.'' but goes anyway. —Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024

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