Motto Definition

mŏtō
mottoes, mottos
noun
mottoes, mottos
A brief statement used to express a principle, goal, or ideal.
“Exuberance over taste!” is my motto.
American Heritage
A word, phrase, or sentence chosen as expressive of the goals or ideals of a nation, group, family, etc. and inscribed on a seal, banner, coin, coat of arms, etc.
Webster's New World
A maxim adopted as a principle of behavior.
Webster's New World

(heraldry) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.

Wiktionary

A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Motto

Noun

Singular:
motto
Plural:
mottoes, mottos

Origin of Motto

  • Italian word, motto probably from Vulgar Latin mōttum word mot

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Italian motto (a word, a saying), Latin muttum (a mutter, a grunt).

    From Wiktionary

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