manna

noun

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man·na | \ ˈma-nə

Definition of manna

1a : 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

2a : 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

Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing manna Learn More About manna

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 on the Web The bread continues to carry rich meaning, from the poppy and sesame seeds sprinkled on top that symbolize manna from God, to the plaited shape, which represents love. — Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 15 Apr. 2022 Its nameless manna—remembers how Wooden crosses, like scaffolds, like forests, Marked the ocean or wedge of battalions. — Osip Mandelstam, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2022 Is the village harbouring a saint 'surviving on manna from heaven' or are there more ominous motives at work? — Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2022 Is the village harbouring a saint ‘surviving on manna from heaven’ or are there more ominous motives at work? — Jacob Siegal, BGR, 3 Feb. 2022 The fact that five internationally celebrated jazz guitarists from four countries are now embarked on U.S. tours that include La Jolla Athenaeum concerts between Feb. 1 and March 2 may qualify as musical manna for six-string fans. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2022 But unless manna from heaven can power Madrid hospital rooms and Frankfurt e-bikes, a ramp up in solar and wind won’t do. — Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes, 11 Nov. 2021 For a bighorn fan like Hughson, this is manna from heaven. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2021 To them, the fresh episodes felt like manna from heaven. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2021 See More

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.