nana

noun

ˈna-nə 

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The china hutch from her nana that was once in her dining room now sits in her bedroom and is filled with books. —Star Tribune, 28 July 2021

In advance of the episode's release, check out the exclusive clip of Alaina cooking with her nana below. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2020

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Word History

Etymology

probably of baby-talk origin

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above