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.
The opposition’s manifesto was so long they built an A.I. chatbot on their website to help you locate which of the 1,000 promises personally applied to you.
From Slate • Jun. 6, 2026
There’s a lapidary quality to Mr. Pence’s manifesto, and it’s worth noting that he invokes Isaiah: “look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
The pontiff's visit coincides with the 11th anniversary of a landmark climate manifesto by Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis.
From Barron's • May 23, 2026
Stevens said that the UK Labour government had delivered all the devolution pledges announced in its 2024 election manifesto.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
“One of the lines I remember from the Dauntless manifesto is, ‘We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.’”
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
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.
