manifesto
Americannoun
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a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives, as one issued by a government, sovereign, or organization.
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a mission statement or other document written and disseminated by an individual or group to enumerate or expound the guiding principles and beliefs that inform their actions.
The mail bomber submitted his 35,000-word manifesto to two major national news publications.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of manifesto
First recorded in 1640–50; from Italian; see manifest (adjective)
Explanation
A manifesto is a public statement stating your views or your intention to do something. If you feel you should be voted "Most Likely to Succeed," you could issue a manifesto describing all the reasons why you deserve to win. Manifesto comes from the Italian word of the same spelling, meaning "public declaration explaining past actions and announcing the motive for forthcoming ones." You'll most often hear about a manifesto that's been issued by a group, like a political party or government — for example, a set of new rules that an incoming regime is going to enforce. Though organizations are more likely to create a manifesto, it's also possible for an individual to issue one about more personal ideas.
Vocabulary lists containing manifesto
This Week In Words: February 1–7, 2020
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Divergent
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Nelson Mandela "I am Prepared to Die" (1964)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Re-appointing Benfica head coach Mourinho, who led the Spanish giants from 2010 to 2013, was a key manifesto point in Perez's election campaign.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Just ask Leopold Aschenbrenner, whose manifesto on the future of AI, called “Situational Awareness” turned out to be extraordinarily prescient.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
The two roads warranted just a sentence in Plaid's election manifesto, just like a new 20mph law in Labour's plans in 2021.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
It’s true that the manifesto covers many different races and religions.
From Slate • May 26, 2026
This document was translated into a simpler manifesto called “A Better Life for All,” which in turn became the ANC’s campaign slogan.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
