What does slogan mean?
A slogan is a brief, memorable phrase that communicates a central idea or promotes a person, organization, product, or campaign. It is especially common in politics, advertising, public relations, and social movements, where concise wording can make a message easier to recognize and remember. A slogan may be catchy or emotionally forceful, but its effectiveness depends on clarity and the reputation of the person or organization associated with it. The word originally referred to a battle cry: a phrase shouted by soldiers to rally their forces and express a shared purpose. In modern English, the term usually suggests public messaging rather than military action, though references to historic battle cries remain possible. Related expressions include political slogan, advertising slogan, and campaign slogan. The word is distinct from a motto, which tends to state a principle or guiding belief, and from a catchphrase, which may be a familiar expression associated with a particular speaker or character.
A short, memorable phrase used to express a central idea, principle, or message, especially in political, commercial, or promotional contexts.
"The new advertising slogan was designed to make the brand instantly recognizable."
A modern slogan is usually brief and intended for memorable public repetition.
Historically, a battle cry or rallying cry shouted by soldiers.
"The troops advanced under a fierce battle slogan."
This is a historical sense and is less common in contemporary usage.
The standard plural is slogans.
"The campaign tested several slogans before selecting one."
A slogan began as a battle cry: it was the shouted rallying call that focused an army before the fighting started.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slogan come from?
The word slogan entered English in the late eighteenth century, borrowed from Scottish Gaelic slògh, meaning an army or host. Its earliest English sense referred to a battle cry or rallying cry. The Gaelic word is related to Irish slóg, meaning a host or military force, and the development reflects the word's military origins before it was extended to modern political and commercial phrases.
Related word forms
How slogan is actually used
In modern usage, a slogan is typically brief, memorable, and designed for repeated public exposure. It differs from a motto, which often expresses a personal, institutional, or traditional principle.