slogan

noun

slo·​gan ˈslō-gən 

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

Synonyms

• banner
• catchphrase
• cry
• shibboleth
• tagline
• watchword

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

The slogan even made it to the highest office in the land in September when former President Joe Biden included it in his speech during NJ/NY Gotham FC’s celebratory visit to the White House for winning the 2023 NWSL title. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 25 Feb. 2025

The slogan has also been used by Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist organization responsible for the Oct. 7 attack. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025

And one district mom who works as a graphic designer started an online shop selling hoodies, T-shirts and mugs emblazoned with the satirical district’s logo and opposition slogans. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2025

Critics disagreed, saying the slogan sounded like New Zealand was advertising a clearance sale. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 17 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for slogan

• bogan
• brogan
• shogun
• yogin

Kids Definition

slogan

noun

slo·​gan ˈslō-gən 

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."