Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. motto, slogan, catchword, shibboleth(noun)

   a favorite saying of a sect or political group

Wiktionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. motto(Noun)

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

2. motto(Noun)

   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.

   "It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, ... Serve God, and be cheerful." -Addison.

Origin: motto (a word, a saying), muttum (a mutter, a grunt).

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Motto(noun)

   a sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievment

2. Motto(noun)

   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

Origin: [It. motto a word, a saying, L. muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire, to mutter, mumble; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Mot a word.]

Freebase(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Motto

   A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used in the Western world. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments. In informal ways, it can be a rule or slogan someone follows, or lives their life by.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Motto

   mot′ō, n. a short sentence or phrase prefixed in anything intimating the subject of it: a phrase attached to a coat-of-arms: a paper packet containing a sweetmeat, cracker, &c., together with a scrap of paper bearing a motto—a motto-kiss:—pl. Mottoes (mot′ōz).—adj. Mott′oed. [Low L. muttum—muttīre, to mutter.]

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of motto in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of motto in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Sample Sentences & Example Usage

1. Robert Burns:

   Learn taciturnity and let that be your motto!

2. Charles Lamb:

   My motto is: Contented with little, yet wishing for more.

3. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:

   Divide and rule, a sound motto. Unite and lead, a better one.

4. Lucius Annaeus Seneca:

   Our (The Stoic) motto, as you know, is live according to nature.

5. Meryem Dolgun:

   If they go back home they will catch happiness. This is their motto.

Images & Illustrations of motto