mantra

noun

man·​tra ˈmän-trə 

 also  ˈman-,

 or  ˈmən-

: a mystical formula of invocation (see invocation sense 2) or incantation (as in Hinduism)

also : watchword sense 2

"diversity" has become our multicultural mantra

—Manning Marable

mantric

ˈmän-trik 

 also  ˈman-

 or  ˈmən-

adjective

Examples of mantra in a Sentence

a businessman whose mantra is “bigger is better”

Recent Examples on the Web

When the illusion of family is shattered, employees that are left start to question all facets of the organizational mantra. —Pam Cohen, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

In defiance of this mantra, Fox Solomon lets the self-portraits in her book starkly convey the brutality of aging. —Christina Cacouris, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024

The weight-doesn’t-matter mantra lets manufacturers off the hook, giving them carte blanche to keep cranking out burdensome behemoths. —Dario Digiulio, Outside Online, 24 Sep. 2024

Reid’s forthright response echoed Marshawn Lynch’s mantra from his memorable turn at a Super Bowl XLIX media scrum. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit, sacred counsel, formula, from manyate he thinks; akin to Latin mens mind — more at mind

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above