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

To cut to the chase: All this permabull mantra about stocks for the long term, and “average” stock-market returns of 6% or 7% a year plus inflation, need enormous caveats.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026

“My nickname is Thundertroll. My mantra is ‘I’m bringing hellfire,’ ” she said.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026

Buy, borrow and die is a mantra of the rich.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

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

It was hard to find adequate space to run and stretch and even harder to find a quiet corner for my breathing and mantra ritual.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Phil seasons, Dudamel has tirelessly acted on his mantras that we are all one people, that there is only one music and that music education is a human right.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

SHANGHAI—The ancient Dragon Flower Temple these days is full of young people burning incense, chanting mantras and kneeling in front of Buddhist statues.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 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

“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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