manifesto
Americannoun
plural
manifestoes-
a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives, as one issued by a government, sovereign, or organization.
-
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
- countermanifesto noun
Etymology
Origin of manifesto
First recorded in 1640–50; from Italian; 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.
The Scottish Greens have promised to transform the country as they published their Holyrood election manifesto.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
Plaid Cymru will formally launch its full manifesto on Thursday, with voters in Wales going to the polls in just under a month's time on 7 May.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Ap Iorwerth says the pledges in his party's manifesto are "rooted in fairness" and "driven by ambition", offering a "clear sense of direction for the future of the country".
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
An analysis of Back's online activity also matches up with that of Satoshi's disappearance shortly after Bitcoin's white paper - the manifesto outlining its philosophy - was published online.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
We had brought a copy of the draft constitution and manifesto with us.
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.
