motto

[mot-oh]

noun

plural

mottoes, mottos 

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

“Pluribus” may be the only Latin most Americans are familiar with, assuming they ever looked closely at a coin; it’s the “many” portion of the unofficial American motto that translates to “Out of many, one.”

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He ludicrously heralded the deal as an example of his “get stuff done” motto.

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His directness took her by surprise, as did his unwitting use of the Swanburne motto.

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“It is the Swanburne motto: ‘No hopeless case is truly without hope.’”

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In “My First Car,” a woman goes to a Day of the Dead parade and sees a skeleton carrying a banner with what could be this singular collection’s motto: “The Beginning is Near.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adage 
• aphorism 
• maxim 
• rallying cry www.thesaurus.com