motto

[ mot-oh ]

noun

, plural mot·toes, mot·tos.

1. a maxim adopted as an expression of the guiding principle of a person, organization, city, etc.
2. a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of a person, organization, city, etc., and often inscribed on a badge, banner, etc.

motto

/ ˈmɒtəʊ /

noun

1. a short saying expressing the guiding maxim or ideal of a family, organization, etc, esp when part of a coat of arms
2. a short explanatory phrase inscribed on or attached to something
3. a verse or maxim contained in a paper cracker
4. a quotation prefacing a book or chapter of a book
5. a recurring musical phrase

Word History and Origins

Origin of motto¹

1580–90; < Italian < Late Latin muttum sound, utterance. See mot

Word History and Origins

Origin of motto¹

C16: via Italian from Latin muttum utterance

Example Sentences

The motto of the internationalization task force was “Making the World Wide Web world wide!”

From Fortune

If the 6 GHz “very fast over short distances” motto sounds familiar, it’s likely because you’ve also heard it in regards to 5G, specifically the millimeter wave tech currently in use by Verizon.

From Popular-Science

The motto for New York City could be, “The holidays must go on.”

From Washington Post

Armed with his bike, four GoPros, and a face mask, he was still pushing ahead a bombozza—“full throttle,” a kind of personal motto—with his mission of being both an entertainer and a social avenger on two wheels.

From Outside Online

If the family of GPT language models had a motto, it could be “Fake it till you make it.”

From Nautilus

Terrorism is bad news anywhere, but especially rough on Odessa, where the city motto seems to be “make love, not war.”

From The Daily Beast

Giorgio read aloud what they had chosen as their class motto.

From The Daily Beast

“Still Standing,” read the firehouse motto stenciled on the front of the two rigs parked behind them.

From The Daily Beast

The motto of the United States is E Pluribus Unum Latin for “Out of Many, one.”

From The Daily Beast

Location: Lincolnton, N.C. Town motto: "History, Arts, Culture...They All Find a Home in Lincolnton!"

From The Daily Beast

It has been richly painted, the arms of France being on the back, and the motto 'Pietate et Justitia' on the sides.

From Project Gutenberg

To meet the thousand wonderings at his conduct, he exchanged the ancient motto of the Lafayettes for a new one of his own.

From Project Gutenberg

His motto was, "Grab a dollar to-day—but don't meddle with it if it interferes with a thousand dollars in ten years."

From Project Gutenberg

To the choice of this motto attaches a history in which a certain Sergius Rachinsky played a part.

From Project Gutenberg

If 1871 opened up Channel groping under racing trim, 'progress' must truly be held the motto for 1872.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adage
• aphorism
• maxim
• rallying cry