mantra

Everyday

1. (religion) A word, sound or short phrase repeated again and again in prayer or meditation, especially in Hinduism and Buddhism. tree →
2. A saying or motto that a person or group repeats often because they believe it strongly: «Practice makes perfect is my mantra». tree →

In the lessons

In religious education, mantras are part of Hindu and Buddhist practice, such as the sound «Om». In everyday life, a mantra is a favourite slogan you repeat to keep going: «Never give up». In mindfulness lessons, children may repeat a calming phrase like a mantra. Phrases: «repeat a mantra», «my mantra is…», «the school's mantra».

Examples

• Our coach's mantra is «Work hard, play fair». tree →
• Buddhists may repeat a mantra while meditating. tree →
• «Om» is a well-known mantra in Hinduism. tree →
• When I'm nervous, I say my mantra: «I can do this». tree →
• The school's mantra is «Be kind, be safe, be your best». tree →
• She repeated the mantra slowly to calm her breathing. tree →
• «Reduce, reuse, recycle» became the class mantra. tree →
• Some mantras are in the old language Sanskrit. tree →

Note

Countable: one mantra, two mantras. A loanword from Sanskrit. In everyday English it often just means a motto or slogan. Not the same as «mantis» (an insect). Not a maths word.