Manifest Destiny

[ man-uh-fest des-tuh-nee ]

noun

1. the belief or doctrine, held chiefly in the middle and latter part of the 19th century, that it was the destiny of the U.S. to expand its territory over the whole of North America and to extend and enhance its political, social, and economic influences.

Manifest Destiny

noun

1. (esp in the 19th-century US) the belief that the US was a chosen land that had been allotted the entire North American continent by God

manifest destiny

1. A popular slogan of the 1840s. It was used by people who believed that the United States was destined — by God, some said — to expand across North America to the Pacific Ocean . The idea of manifest destiny was used to justify the acquisition of Oregon and large parts of the Southwest, including California . ( See Mexican War .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Manifest Destiny¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Exploration used to be such a big part of American life: manifest destiny, landing on the moon.

From The Daily Beast

As Eyman puts it, generations of Americans saw Wayne as the embodiment of “a sort of race memory of manifest destiny.”

From The Daily Beast

One could even call it the ultimate step toward manifest destiny.

From The Daily Beast

At what point is Manifest Destiny fulfilled—and what are we supposed to do with ourselves then?

From The Daily Beast

This is the manifest destiny of our country, and to this unveiled glory are we marching on.

From Project Gutenberg

It was so inevitable that it impressed upon all those engaged in it the belief in Manifest Destiny.

From Project Gutenberg

Manifest destiny iz the science ov going tew the devil, or enny other place before yu git thare.

From Project Gutenberg

Munroe doctrine and manifest destiny are not named; but they are shadowed forth in language worthy of a Talleyrand.

From Project Gutenberg

Diego Columbus devoutly decided that it was manifest destiny that Cuba should belong to Spain.

From Project Gutenberg