plural nanas
informal
: the mother of one's father or mother : grandmother
… my nana's commonsense wisdom still resonates. She told me it's not important what people say they do, it's what they do that counts.Ms.
The Detroit rapper [Big Sean] hopped on Instagram on Monday … to send out a heartfelt tribute to his nana, who he says has a special place in armed forces lineage.C. Vernon Coleman II
often used as a form of address
"I don't know, Nana," said Eufala … . "It doesn't look very much like a car."Kathleen Lane and Cabell Harris

Examples of nana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The show presents itself as serious news reporting stories of supernatural beings, shocking occult discoveries and mysterious occurrences from around the world, leaving nanas clutching their rosaries and buying extra crucifixes to ward off spirits and goblins. Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 Her nana? Etiquette rules change over time, but the principles of kindness don’t. Robin Abrahams, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2023 Harvey Guillén in 'Blue Beetle' | Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Jaime's family — including Belissa Escobedo as his sister, Damían Alcázar as his father, Elpidia Carrillo as his mother, Adriana Barraza as his nana, and George Lopez as his uncle — are all active parts of his hero journey. Nick Romano, EW.com, 8 May 2023 Rosie O'Donnell loves life as a nana. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2022 My nana would cook. Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 My nana always took me to rodeos, growing up. Jeremy Gordon, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2022 My nana and dada made it. Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2021 All the doughnuts, more than 40 styles, from the peanut butter-n-nana Memphis Mafia to the non-slim but thoroughly shady Marshall Mathers to the namesake Voodoo Doll bleeding raspberry jelly. Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nana.' 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

probably of baby-talk origin

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nana was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near nana

Cite this Entry

“Nana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nana. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nana

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!