mantra

American  

[man-truh, mahn-, muhn-] / ˈmæn trə, ˈmɑn-, ˈmʌn- /

Or mantram

noun

• mantras
  plural

1. Hinduism. a word or formula, as from the Veda, chanted or sung as an incantation or prayer.

2. an often repeated word, formula, or phrase, often a truism.

   If I hear the “less is more” mantra one more time, I'll scream.

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mantra British  

/ ˈmæntrə, ˈmʌn- /

noun

1. Hinduism any of those parts of the Vedic literature which consist of the metrical psalms of praise

2. Hinduism Buddhism any sacred word or syllable used as an object of concentration and embodying some aspect of spiritual power

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• mantric
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• mantras
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mantra

Borrowed into English from Sanskrit around 1800–10

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Explanation

A mantra is a motivating chant, like the “I think I can, I think I can” you repeat over and over to yourself on the last stretch of every marathon you run. A mantra is usually any repeated word or phrase, but it can also refer more specifically to a word repeated in meditation. Mantra comes from a Sanskrit word meaning a “sacred message or text, charm, spell, counsel.” The Indian spiritual leader Sri Sathya Baba said, “A pure thought from a pure heart is better than a mantra.” Meaning, a mantra is great and all, but really, pure intentions and genuine kindness mean more.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mantra mantras

His proposed solution is “radical transparency” — a familiar Silicon Valley mantra with an ironic resonance given Theranos’ notorious culture of secrecy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

In Wales, for the most part, the mantra has been to trust the profession.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

In the show-business world in which this film is set—a world that often pays a premium for giving up one’s dignity, integrity, self-respect—the phrase has the quality of a necessary mantra.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Still, SpaceX continues to dominate the global space launch market, thanks to its partially reusable Falcon rockets, and has made risk-taking its mantra.

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

With an almost comfortable distance from the thing itself as it really was, Colin thought about the dork mantra: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green

Mingled with her dealmaking stories are mantras aimed at ambitious readers: “The pressure can crush you or turn you into the diamond version of yourself: hard and brilliant.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Buddhist mantras should be chanted while the baby is being delivered, but he can't remember the words, so he plays them from his phone on speaker instead.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026

Ahead of the speeches, a choir sang as attendees photographed a large panel emblazoned with one of Jackson's mantras "keep hope alive."

From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026

Living up to the mantras is easier said than done.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 25, 2025

“He’s gathered all kinds of mantras, sacred words that will help you. But, be warned, he’s still awful...”

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

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Related Words

• hymn
• melody
• shout
• singing
• tune

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