motto
noun
mot·to ˈmä-(ˌ)tō 
plural mottoes also mottos
1
: a sentence, phrase, or word inscribed on something as appropriate to or indicative of its character or use
"The Crossroads of America" is the motto of the state of Indiana.
2
: a short expression of a guiding principle
"Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" is my motto.
Example Sentences
“Hope for the best and prepare for the worst” is my motto. The Boy Scout motto is “Be prepared.”
Recent Examples on the Web Standout distance runner Kendra Paskvan has a motto for trail races. 
Anchorage Daily News, 20 May 2022 The original Murn probably had a motto similar to Peacemaker’s, if anything. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 10 Feb. 2022 The saying, a motto used by the United States Navy, means to never surrender. IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2021 Other states, in recent years, have also mandated the display of the motto. Rebekah Riess, CNN, 19 Aug. 2022 But Matt Patricia is taking this motto to another level in 2022. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2022 The effectiveness of this motto is evident in our list of ADCOLOR Award honorees and winners. Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes, 11 July 2022 That could be the motto of the small community of like-minded artists that Schatz has met while photographing the lake every day. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2022 Google once recognized its outsized public duty in its corporate motto, ‘Don’t be evil,’ and its commitment to ‘provide . . . Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 21 July 2022 See More
Anchorage Daily News, 20 May 2022 The original Murn probably had a motto similar to Peacemaker’s, if anything. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 10 Feb. 2022 The saying, a motto used by the United States Navy, means to never surrender. IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2021 Other states, in recent years, have also mandated the display of the motto. Rebekah Riess, CNN, 19 Aug. 2022 But Matt Patricia is taking this motto to another level in 2022. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2022 The effectiveness of this motto is evident in our list of ADCOLOR Award honorees and winners. Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes, 11 July 2022 That could be the motto of the small community of like-minded artists that Schatz has met while photographing the lake every day. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2022 Google once recognized its outsized public duty in its corporate motto, ‘Don’t be evil,’ and its commitment to ‘provide . . . Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 21 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Italian, from Late Latin muttum grunt, from Latin muttire to mutter
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
motto
noun
mot·to ˈmä-tō
plural mottoes
1
: a phrase or word inscribed on something (as a coin or public building) to suggest its use or nature
2
: a short expression of a guiding rule of conduct
The Boy Scout motto is "Be prepared."
motto
noun
as in proverb
a short sentence or phrase that expresses a rule guiding the behavior of a particular person or group "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst" is my motto. The Scout motto is "Be prepared." Synonyms & Similar Words
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- proverb
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- byword
- cliche
- expression
- apothegm
- platitude
- commonplace
- bromide
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- remark
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