mandala
noun
man·da·la
ˈmən-də-lə 
1
: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe
specifically
: a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to meditation
2
: a graphic and often symbolic pattern usually in the form of a circle divided into four separate sections or bearing a multiple projection of an image
Examples of mandala in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The sand mandala that Samten is creating during the Folklife Festival is a mandala for healing.
—
Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 June 2023
The mandala is thought to bring energy and healing to both its makers and the area surrounding it.
—Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 June 2023
The mandalas hypnagogia relentlessly sketches under the eyelids don’t so much provide a respite from the distractions of ordinary consciousness as a shocking realization that the sluggish movements of regular experience might be composed of millions of shining, vibrating filaments.
—Michael W. Clune, Harper's Magazine, 4 Mar. 2022
Teigen turned heads in a feathery, black swan-esque ensemble with a sheer skirt embellished with mandala circles.
—Catherine Kast, Peoplemag, 1 May 2023
Lines of floating colors slowly materialize onto the screen, like a mandala coming to life.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2023
Out of the darkness, a colorful mandala appears.
—Cassady Rosenblum, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2022
That country window evolved into an Oakland brick-and-mortar, and now the seasonal pop-up shops, the centerpiece of which is an 8-foot-by-8-foot mandala-like display case filled with her pies in a massive color wheel of baked goodness.
—Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 7 Nov. 2022
Your woven silk fabric with the center circle design is called a mandala.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 11 Mar. 2021
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Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 June 2023
The mandala is thought to bring energy and healing to both its makers and the area surrounding it.
—Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 June 2023
The mandalas hypnagogia relentlessly sketches under the eyelids don’t so much provide a respite from the distractions of ordinary consciousness as a shocking realization that the sluggish movements of regular experience might be composed of millions of shining, vibrating filaments.
—Michael W. Clune, Harper's Magazine, 4 Mar. 2022
Teigen turned heads in a feathery, black swan-esque ensemble with a sheer skirt embellished with mandala circles.
—Catherine Kast, Peoplemag, 1 May 2023
Lines of floating colors slowly materialize onto the screen, like a mandala coming to life.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2023
Out of the darkness, a colorful mandala appears.
—Cassady Rosenblum, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2022
That country window evolved into an Oakland brick-and-mortar, and now the seasonal pop-up shops, the centerpiece of which is an 8-foot-by-8-foot mandala-like display case filled with her pies in a massive color wheel of baked goodness.
—Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 7 Nov. 2022
Your woven silk fabric with the center circle design is called a mandala.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland, 11 Mar. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mandala.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Sanskrit maṇḍala circle
First Known Use
1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Cite this Entry
“Mandala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandala. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mandala
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