mantra

noun

man·​tra ˈmän-trə 

also ˈman-

or ˈmən-

1

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

2

: a word or phrase that is repeated often or expresses the beliefs of a person or group : 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

Affirmations, mantras and visualization practices work in similar ways. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026

His pro-working-class mantras focused on affordability and child and health care support funded by enforcing corporate tax code while closing loopholes exploited by billionaires registers politically to the left of Thompson, a moderate Democrat. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Do more with less is this year's marketing mantra. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

This has been the political mantra of the European Union for years, and with New8, that is what is actually happening. —Kevin Giraud, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

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 at sense 1

Rhymes for mantra

• tantra