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

“It’s the economy, stupid,” Madrid later posted on X, in a throwback to former President Clinton’s campaign mantra.

From Los Angeles Times

“The mantra when you’re running or walking with the club is you should not walk until you’re winded,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans may well feel empowered to continue their long campaign against the nation’s public health infrastructure, to step up their attacks on science, and to spread the anti-vaccine mantra of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has worked his way into Trump’s inner circle.

From Los Angeles Times

But just how Anglophile is he really, some ponder, given his mantra of "America First"?

From BBC

The verbal fireworks seem inevitable: that is the Trump way but don’t get distracted by them, is the mantra for some.

From BBC

Related Words

• hymn
• melody
• shout
• singing
• tune