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

McComb’s mantra, and that of his staff, is that no child shall slip through the cracks. —Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2025

This of course has been Starr’s personal mantra, greeting, and aloha for most of his post-Beatles decades. —Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025

Achieving government efficiency has been a mantra of President Donald Trump’s second term, Medora Lee reports, but some people say the slashing of the Social Security Administration will have the opposite effect. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

Going back to its roots seems to be Meta's mantra this year. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 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