A mantra is a word or phrase repeated by Buddhists and Hindus when they meditate, or to help them feel calm.
2. countable noun
You can use mantra to refer to a statement or a principle that people repeat very often because they think it is true, especially when you think that it not true or is only part of the truth.
Listening to customers is now part of the mantra of new management in public services. [+ of]
mantra in British English
(ˈmæntrə, ˈmʌn-)
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
Word origin
C19: from Sanskrit, literally: speech, instrument of thought, from man to think
mantra in American English
(ˈmæntrə; ˈmɑntrə; ˈmʌntrə)
noun
Hinduism
a hymn or portion of text, esp. from the Veda, chanted or intoned as an incantation or prayer
Word origin
Sans, akin to mantár-, thinker: see mandarin
Examples of 'mantra' in a sentence
mantra
When she still failed to revive I knew I was on the brink of panic but I decided to calm myself by reciting my current mantra.
Howatch, Susan ABSOLUTE TRUTHS (2002)
She grinned as she thought of her Aunt Adele's mantra at Miller family get-togethers: `Thank the Lord that Tara's so clever.
Cathy Kelly JUST BETWEEN US (2002)
Quietly, he recited the librarians ' mantra: `Every act of knowing brings forth a world.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (2002)
As she fed and cared for the newborn Eric, she repeated the mantra over and over.
Caroline Upcher (with James and Nanci LaGarenne) WITHIN A WHISPER (2002)
In other languages
mantra
British English: mantra NOUN
A mantra is a word or phrase repeated by Buddhists and Hindus when they meditate, or to help them feel calm.