ethos

noun

ˈē-ˌthäs 

: the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution

also : ethic sense 1d

Synonyms

• ethics
• morality
• morals
• norms
• principles
• standards

Examples of ethos in a Sentence

The company made environmental awareness part of its business ethos.

They are working to keep a democratic ethos alive in the community.

Recent Examples on the Web

For decades, the win-at-all-costs approach to gymnastics—evident at various gyms across the country—which prized compliance and an ethos of suffering, ignored athlete well-being and left gymnasts feeling like disposable commodities. —Christine Yu, SELF, 17 July 2024

For instance, his call for all Bitcoin mining to be located in the U.S. rubbed certain crypto idealists the wrong way, as decentralization and immunity to governmental pressures is a key part of the ethos of crypto mining. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 17 July 2024

Since its release, Brat has practically become a way of life, an ethos unto itself. —Hazlitt, 17 July 2024

Named for its resemblance to the early aeronautical stylings of Lockheed Martin, the furniture piece bucked the reductive ethos of modern design at the time. —Lee Carter, Robb Report, 13 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek ēthos custom, character — more at sib

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above