mantra
Americannoun
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Hinduism. a word or formula, as from the Veda, chanted or sung as an incantation or prayer.
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an often repeated word, formula, or phrase, often a truism.
If I hear the “less is more” mantra one more time, I'll scream.
noun
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Hinduism any of those parts of the Vedic literature which consist of the metrical psalms of praise
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Hinduism Buddhism any sacred word or syllable used as an object of concentration and embodying some aspect of spiritual power
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of mantra
Borrowed into English from Sanskrit around 1800–10
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.
Vocabulary lists containing mantra
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"Rogue Wave," Vocabulary from the short story
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Commence Your Life!
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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.
Lead single, Mantra, is a cheeky riff on the "independent woman" genre, that incorporates her love of burgers and pyjamas over a Miami Bass beat.
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2025
In Philadelphia, Ms. Payton moved with Mangal-arti and a few other devotees into a temple, and then into a rented house, while they worked to open the Mantra Lounge in the trendy neighborhood of Fishtown.
From New York Times • May 22, 2024
We were taught about the framework and application of the Georgetown Mantra of Bioethics when making shared treatment plans with our patients:
From Salon • May 31, 2023
"Mantra," for example, is one word deemed "non-inclusive" but it appears on a technology help guide on the department's website.
From Fox News • Jan. 26, 2022
Hear, O sinless one, as I recite to thee the ordinances in respect of that Mantra.
From The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 Books 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 by Ganguli, Kisari Mohan
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.
