nectar

noun

nec·​tar ˈnek-tər How to pronounce nectar (audio)
Synonyms of nectarnext
1
a
: the drink of the Greek and Roman gods
b
: something delicious to drink
c
: a beverage of fruit juice and pulp
apricot nectar
2
: a sweet liquid that is secreted by the nectaries of a plant and is the chief raw material of honey
nectarous adjective

Did you know?

Nectar is often mentioned in conjunction with ambrosia, the food of the Greek and Roman gods. For centuries, English speakers have used ambrosia to refer to something with an extremely pleasing taste or smell, and nectar to refer to a delicious drink, especially a fruit juice. To the ancient Greeks and Romans, however, the powers of nectar and ambrosia far exceeded those of any earthly fare; consuming nectar and ambrosia gave the gods their immortality. In Greek, the literal meanings of ambrosia and nectar are "immortality" and "overcoming death," respectively. Nektar is believed to be a compound of Greek nek- (probably akin to Latin nec-, meaning "death") and -tar (probably akin to Sanksrit tarati, meaning "he overcomes or crosses over").

Examples of nectar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Black-eyed Susans also act as a vital food source for pollinators (with their pollen and nectar) and birds (with their seeds in fall and winter). Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 June 2026 Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey Marc Jacobs Honey Eau de Parfum is described by the brand as a sunny, enticing floral built around orange blossom, with honeysuckle and peach nectars layered over honey, vanilla and smooth woods that dry down to a warm, golden base. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026 Marc Jacobs describes its Honey Eau de Parfum as a sunny floral built around orange blossom, mingling with honeysuckle and peach nectars before settling into vanilla, honey and smooth woods at the base, according to the brand’s Amazon listing. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026 Simply place your swing near a feeder or nectar-rich flowering plant to create the ideal perching spot for hummingbirds to rest and keep watch over their food source. ABC News, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nectar

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek nektar

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of nectar was in 1555

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Cite this Entry

“Nectar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nectar. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

nectar

noun
nec·​tar ˈnek-tər How to pronounce nectar (audio)
1
: the drink of the Greek and Roman gods
2
: a sweet liquid given off by plants and especially by the flowers and used by bees in making honey

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