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 Words From

• mantric 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

Now this week with a new launch of lux durags, the brand is continuing its accessibility mantra while also having a complete understanding of the culture.

From Essence.com

A mantra ever present in Telfar’s branding is, as the bottom of the Telfar website reads, “Not For You— For Everyone.”

From Essence.com

While “listen to your body” feels like cliché advice, it’s still a good mantra.

From Outside Online

In honor of Teton Gravity Research’s 25th anniversary, the media company’s latest ski film is an ode to “living the dream”—the mantra that started it all.

From Outside Online

Business executives interviewed at the time said the old mantra of “shareholder value” was out of touch with the complexity of managing a global enterprise.

From Quartz

The GOP should embrace the work ethic as its mantra, and this time act like they mean it.

From The Daily Beast

The mantra in Washington is to “manage” differences with Beijing and find areas of cooperation.

From The Daily Beast

Make way not for ducklings but for relentless darkness: so the operative mantra goes.

From The Daily Beast

The Krishna Movement stresses continual silent chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra in order to keep the mind focused on God.

From The Daily Beast

A growing array of critics understand the need to break with the megacity mantra.

From The Daily Beast

And o'er sacred rights of homa Brahmans chant their mantra high, There is heard the jackal's wailing and the raven's ominous cry!

From Project Gutenberg

Faced the sun with hands conjoinéd and the sacred mantra told,— Hymns by ancient rishis chanted, sanctified by bards of old!

From Project Gutenberg

If a novice, the girl has the radical mantra whispered thrice in her ear.

From Project Gutenberg

The mantra or sacred sentence best known in the Buddhadom and abroad.

From Project Gutenberg

He had also learnt the mantra (the mystic charm) by heart; but the doctor had sworn him to secrecy and he told it to nobody.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hymn
• melody
• shout
• singing
• tune