mandala

noun

man·​da·​la ˈmən-də-lə How to pronounce mandala (audio)
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
mandalic adjective

Examples of mandala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Lisseth remembers how the young woman loved painting the intricate, colorful geometric patterns of traditional mandalas. Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026 The nonprofit, founded in 2018 as an alternative to Hollywood’s slow development process, treats plays like ephemeral mandalas — created intensely, then performed once and released. Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026 Janine Mackintosh: leaf mandalas and memory Longtime Southern Ocean Lodge collaborator, assemblage artist Janine Mackintosh, will be in residence from April 16 through 22, marking her third program participation this season. Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 24 Feb. 2026 As part of the project, students studied the history and structure of mandalas, as well as the work of 19th-century naturalist Ernst Haeckel. Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mandala

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit maṇḍala circle

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mandala was in 1859

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Cite this Entry

“Mandala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandala. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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