slogan

noun

slo·​gan ˈslō-gən How to pronounce slogan (audio)
Synonyms of slogannext
1
a
: a war cry especially of a Scottish clan
b
: a word or phrase used to express a characteristic position or stand or a goal to be achieved
2
: a brief attention-getting phrase used in advertising or promotion

Examples of slogan in a Sentence

within days, virtually everyone was familiar with the newest advertising slogan for that brand of soda
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Coke, to quote from one of the company’s many famous ad slogans can add life to many media properties. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026 This slogan reflects the luxury brand’s focus on creating a specialized, relaxing, and personalized driving experience, highlighting the connection between the driver and their vehicle. Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026 In Madrid, thousands chanted slogans against the war and expressed solidarity with civilians affected by the conflict. ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026 The videos show residents walking and at times running through the streets of Morón, in the province of Ciego de Avila, shouting anti-government slogans in the middle of a blackout late night Friday and early morning Saturday, lit up by the occasional portable lamp or the light on their phones. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slogan

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier slogorn, from Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm, from sluagh army, host + gairm cry

First Known Use

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of slogan was in 1513

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slogan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slogan. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

slogan

noun
slo·​gan ˈslō-gən How to pronounce slogan (audio)
1
: a word or phrase that calls to battle
2
: a word or phrase used by a party, a group, or a business to attract attention
Etymology

from earlier slogorn "war cry, rallying cry," from Scottish Gaelic, the ancient language of Scotland, sluagh-gairm "army cry," from sluagh "army" and ghairm "call, cry"

Word Origin
The clans of Scotland were groups of related families that joined together, especially to defend against outsiders. In the old days these outsiders might be other clans, but usually they were the English to the south. When it was time to gather members of the clan for a battle, the Scots would shout the sluagh-gairm, which meant "army cry." It is made up of the Scottish Gaelic word sluagh, meaning "army," and ghairm, meaning "call, cry." This came into English as slogorn and later became slogan. At first slogan meant a "battle cry" or "rallying cry." Later it came to be used for "a motto or phrase used by a group to attract attention."

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