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 fun-loving nana even drank beer out of the Stanley Cup when Ben Hutton's team won the NHL championship in 2023. Aron Solomon, Newsweek, 9 July 2024 Hutton was sure to include her nana Monique Kerr in every part of the festivities and TikTok users were left hysterical by the 87-year-old's partying antics. Aron Solomon, Newsweek, 9 July 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for nana 

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 12 Oct. 2024.

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