mana

noun

ma·​na ˈmä-nə How to pronounce mana (audio)
1
: the power of the elemental forces of nature embodied in an object or person
2
: moral authority : prestige

Examples of mana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Surfers talk of feeling the mana, a Polynesian word for spiritual energy, here. Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2023 Te Aika told me that, after centuries of European colonialism, his community has been reasserting its mana, or traditional authority, over native species. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2023 Akana also sees the portrait itself as an embodiment of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s mana, or spirit. Kate C. Lemay, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2023 To use a land card to pay mana, tap the land card by turning it sideways. Bailey Gates, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2023 This would suggest that at least for one hero mana is being reworked and seemingly removed, which would suggest that a new system where abilities do not cost mana but potentially something else is being introduced, which would be a first for Dota 2. Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023 Leading metaverse tokens like Decentraland’s mana and the Sandbox’s sand are down more than 70% over the past year. Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 2 Apr. 2023 Black mana is the most sinister of the bunch. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 11 Aug. 2020 Sending his family all the love, light, strength and mana. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 17 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mana.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

of Polynesian origin; akin to Hawaiian & Maori mana mana

First Known Use

circa 1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mana was circa 1843

Dictionary Entries Near mana

Cite this Entry

“Mana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mana. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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