manifest destiny

English

Alternative forms

Manifest Destiny

Etymology

Popularly attributed to newspaper editor John O'Sullivan (1813–1895). The phrase was first used primarily by Jackson Democrats in the 1840s to promote the annexation of much of what is now the Western United States.

Noun

manifest destiny (uncountable)

The political doctrine or belief held by the United States of America, particularly during its expansion, that the nation was destined to expand toward the west.
The political doctrine or belief held by many citizens of the United States of America that their system is best, and the idea that all humans would like to become Americans.
The belief that God supports the expansion of the United States of America throughout the entire North American continent except Mexico.

Translations

cultural belief in the 19th-century United States that American settlers were destined to expand across North America

Chinese:
Mandarin: 昭昭天命 (zhāozhāo tiānmìng)
French: destinée manifeste (fr) m
German: Manifest Destiny n
Portuguese: destino manifesto m
Vietnamese: vận mệnh hiển nhiên

Verb

manifest destiny (third-person singular simple present manifests destiny, present participle manifesting destiny, simple past and past participle manifested destiny)

(informal) To exercise and realize manifest destiny; to enable the cultural and political expansion of the United States of America.
The Homestead Acts allowed millions of settlers to populate unclaimed land and manifest destiny out on the frontier.