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

Start early and take advantage of compound growth is the mantra of almost every financial adviser. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 23 May 2025

But behind that mantra is a complex commitment to meeting the emotional, cultural, and narrative needs of Black women across generations and geographies. —Essence, 22 May 2025

Once seen as a simple roadmap toward sustainability, this mantra now conceals a far more complex and troubling reality. —Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2025

Boosting capital efficiency, and return on investment, have remained strong goals since 2018, and general opinion is this will continue despite the Trump administration’s mantra to accelerate drilling. —Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

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

Rhymes for mantra

• tantra