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 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 Two such works are the showstoppers here: cosmic color wheels that fuse radar screens with mandalas. Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 9 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 9 Mar. 2026.

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