“E Pluribus Unum” was suggested by the committee Congress appointed on July 4, 1776 to design “a seal for the United States of America.”

The general meaning of each Latin word is clear:

Pluribus is related to the English word: “plural.”

Unum is related to the English word: “unit.”

E Pluribus Unum describes an action: Many uniting into one. An accurate translation of the motto is “Out of many, one” – a phrase that elegantly captures the symbolism on the shield.

By weaving together symbolic elements from each committee, Charles Thomson created a Great Seal that is itself an example of E pluribus unum: a synthesis of ideas and images.

“The next great step for the human family will be to recognize, in our daily lives, the unity that already exists. And a necessary step is the recognition of the common symbols of this unity.” – Joseph Campbell

It is also on the Great Seal of the US. It basically refers to the fact that out of many states comes one nation.

or

“Out of many, one.”

(Separate states considering themselves a single, unified country)