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

“Move fast and break things” was the early Facebook corporate mantra, and now that spirit is back.

Read more on Barron's

“The internet routes around damage” is the mantra, but that doesn’t always work, especially when the damage is in a core functionality.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At their Sunday meeting, the Bruins saw their new mantra — the standard is the standard — on a big screen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The new mood is driven in part by the beauty industry and its new mantra: embrace your perspiration.

Read more on BBC

He left us with some advice, which to this newly minted fungi enthusiast seemed a mantra for the whole weekend.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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