manna

noun man·na \ ˈma-nə \

Definition of manna

1 a :food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness

b :divinely supplied spiritual nourishment

c :a usually sudden and unexpected source of gratification, pleasure, or gain

2 a :the sweetish dried exudate of a Eurasian ash (especially Fraxinus ornus) that contains mannitol and has been used as a laxative and demulcent

b :a similar product excreted by a scale insect (Trabutina mannipara) feeding on the tamarisk

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Examples of manna in a Sentence

Your generous gift was manna from heaven.
the announcement that there would be a sequel was manna to the many fans of the original movie

Recent Examples of manna from the Web

Doesn’t a big star at a prime position drop out of the sky like manna from heaven and change fortunes for years?

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde: As Heat (and Panthers) show, 'Organizations make quarterbacks' | Commentary," 1 July 2017
Believers say his remains produce a liquid called manna, said to have healing powers.

— david filipov, Washington Post, "Why more than a million Russians have lined up to see a piece of the rib of Saint Nicholas," 29 June 2017
In fields where new data rarely comes to light, the Scrolls have seemed to be manna from heaven.

— patrick t. reardon, chicagotribune.com, "How do you translate the Quran? New book digs into history," 20 June 2017
For info: (619) 233-7963 or womensmuseumca.org.) Handbags 101 Like manna from fashion heaven, the bags dropped into the museum’s lap in January.

— karla peterson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego purse exhibit has women's history in the bag," 9 June 2017
Joel Berry II, playing on a tender ankle, needed 19 shots to score 22 points, and his three 3-pointers — Carolina was 4-for-27 on treys — were manna from heaven.

— mark bradley, ajc, "That grand Gonzaga dream? It’s gone with the wind," 4 Apr. 2017
For Kelly Rudolph, senior publicity director for Custom House, a new imprint of William Morrow, the insulting post was manna from heaven.

— steven kurutz, New York Times, "Overrated? Loser? Not if It’s Trump Who Calls You Out," 11 Jan. 2017
Not all the old folks have died off yet, and even among the young there are a few iconoclasts who reject this technological manna from heaven.

— tony long, WIRED, "Speaking of 24-Pound Turkeys …," 23 Nov. 2006

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'manna.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of manna

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek, from Hebrew mān

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

manna Synonyms

Synonyms

delectation, feast, gas [slang], joy, kick, delight, pleasure, treat

Antonyms

affliction, bane, curse, evil, plague, scourge

Related Words

amusement, diversion, entertainment, fun, recreation; comfort, relief, solace; gratification, indulgence; ambrosia

Near Antonyms

hex, hoodoo, jinx; bother, irritant, nuisance, pest; disadvantage; cross, misery, trial, tribulation

MANNA Defined for English Language Learners

manna

noun

Definition of manna for English Language Learners

: food which according to the Bible was supplied by a miracle to the Israelites after they escaped from Egypt
: something needed that is received unexpectedly