motto

[ mot-oh ]

/ ˈmɒt oʊ /

noun, plural mot·toes, mot·tos.

a maxim adopted as an expression of the guiding principle of a person, organization, city, etc.

a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of a person, organization, city, etc., and often inscribed on a badge, banner, etc.

Words nearby motto

motte, mottelson, mottle, mottled, mottled enamel, motto, mottramite, motty, motu, motu proprio, motzer

Origin of motto

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for motto

The motto of the United States is E Pluribus Unum Latin for “Out of Many, one.”
Does ‘Ebony’ Magazine Condone Bigotry?|Ron Christie|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Location: Lincolnton, N.C. Town motto: "History, Arts, Culture...They All Find a Home in Lincolnton!"
Lesser Mysteries for Those With Breaking News Fatigue|Kelly Williams Brown|March 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
School leaders of an institution that boasts the motto, “Safe, Responsible & Respectful” were none of the above.
The Schools That Starve Students to Punish Deadbeat Parents|Brandy Zadrozny|January 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Appropriately enough, the Basin family crest bears the motto “boldness and inspiration.”
Putin's Criminal Olympics|Michael Weiss|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Health and safety über alles: the prayer of a people shot through with fear, and the motto of our times.
How to Fight for Freedom in 2014|James Poulos|December 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Corsican national flag was green and yellow, and bore the motto: In te Domine speravi.
Wanderings in Corsica, Vol. 1 of 2|Ferdinand Gregorovius
The Villiers motto, Fidei coticula crux, The cross is the whetstone of faith, is inscribed on the frieze.
Haunted London|Walter Thornbury
His motto is Progress; and while the forest whispers to him of the past, books and his own heart commune with him of the future.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 4, September, 1850|Various
Not that he feared danger: his motto was that of the old French knight—“Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra!”
For the Master's Sake|Emily Sarah Holt
No, ma'am, 'Never give in while there's a score behind the door,'—that's the motto of the Dempseys.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for motto

motto

/ (ˈmɒtəʊ) /

noun plural -toes or -tos

a short saying expressing the guiding maxim or ideal of a family, organization, etc, esp when part of a coat of arms

a short explanatory phrase inscribed on or attached to something

a verse or maxim contained in a paper cracker

a quotation prefacing a book or chapter of a book

a recurring musical phrase

Word Origin for motto

C16: via Italian from Latin muttum utterance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

motto

noun, plural mot·toes, mot·tos.

Words related to motto

Words nearby motto

Origin of motto

Example sentences from the Web for motto

British Dictionary definitions for motto

noun plural -toes or -tos

Word Origin for motto