man ‧ tra /ˈmæntrə/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Language: Sanskrit ; Origin: 'thought, advice' , from man 'to think' ]
1 . a word or sound that is repeated as a prayer or to help people ↑ meditate
recite/repeat a mantra
He closed his eyes and began to recite a Buddhist mantra.
2 . a word or phrase representing a rule or principle which someone often uses, but which other people often find annoying or boring:
The Treasury Secretary has stuck to his mantra that ‘a strong dollar is in America’s interest’.
3 . a piece of holy writing in the Hindu religion