Manhattan

noun

Man·​hat·​tan man-ˈha-tᵊn 

mən-

variants or less commonly manhattan

plural Manhattans also manhattans

: a cocktail consisting typically of whiskey, vermouth, and bitters

… a cocktail bar focusing on the classics such as martinis, Manhattans and boulevardiers.

—Nico Madrigal-Yankowski

A Manhattan has three key ingredients: A whiskey you like, sweet vermouth, and bitters. A purist will say you should use rye.

—Michael Corcoran

For a classic manhattan, I'd grab a solid, classic rye.

—Al Sotack

Examples of Manhattan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier this month, a Manhattan Institute survey of 600 likely voters in Texas found that Cruz has a three-point lead (46 percent to 43 percent) over Allred. —David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024

The garden is situated in the Little Italy section of lower Manhattan, that sorely lacks open space, let alone green open space. —Steven Hyman, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024

By Naomi Huffman On a Sunday afternoon in May, the Elizabeth Street Garden, a serene public park wedged between Manhattan’s SoHo and Little Italy neighborhoods, was filled with people undeterred by the gray sky and spitting rain. —Naomi Huffman, The Atlantic, 10 July 2024

Argentina fans gathered in Times Square on the eve of the match and filled the streets on Manhattan before heading to MetLife Stadium, site of the 2026 World Cup final. —Ronald Blum, Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Manhattan, borough of New York City

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Manhattan

• Manhattan clam chowder

Geographical Definition

Manhattan

geographical name

Man·​hat·​tan man-ˈha-tᵊn 

mən-

1

city on the Kansas River in the northeast central part of the state of Kansas population 52,281

2

island 13 miles (21 kilometers) long in southeastern New York surrounded by the Hudson River, Harlem River, Spuyten Duyvil Creek, East River, and Upper New York Bay

3

borough of New York City comprising Manhattan Island, several small adjacent islands, and a small area (Marble Hill) on the mainland population 1,585,873

Note: Manhattan contains one of the world's chief financial and commercial areas.

Manhattanite

man-ˈha-tᵊn-ˌīt 

mən-

noun