mantra

Or man·tram

[man-truh, mahn-, muhn-]

noun

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.

mantra

/ ˈmʌn-, ˈmæntrə /

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

Other Word Forms

• mantric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mantra¹

Borrowed into English from Sanskrit around 1800–10

Word History and Origins

Origin of mantra¹

C19: from Sanskrit, literally: speech, instrument of thought, from man to think

Example Sentences

Kevin Toomey, for Williams, said his conduct was "appalling and disgraceful" but he was motivated by a mantra of "protect our kids".

From BBC

Since the end of last season, the mantra from Redick was for his team to be in championship shape.

From Los Angeles Times

A mantra repeated again and again inside the camp has been to "be where our feet are".

From BBC

His "we're not far away" mantra was there, but it wasn't delivered in the usual bullish tone.

From BBC

And two others, “No Fear” and “Happy With You,” repeat lyrics like mantras as the music builds around them, filling up over 11 minutes of music with just two stanzas of words.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hymn 
• melody 
• shout 
• singing www.thesaurus.com
• tune