manna

noun

man·​na ˈma-nə 

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

Synonyms

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

Example Sentences

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 unceremonious dumping of Fox News personality Tucker Carlson was joke-writing manna from heaven for late night talk show hosts on Monday night (April 24). —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2023

From Jesus’ miraculous feat of feeding thousands with just two fishes and five loaves, to the Islamic parable of Muhammed providing sustenance to upward of 40,000 believers for 40 days, stories of charismatic leaders aiding the masses with promises of manna from the heavens are not new. —Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2021

For practitioners of what used to be called the lively arts, Life Isn’t Everything, an oral biography of Mike Nichols, is manna from heaven, its brilliantly orchestrated polyphony bringing him, his work, and his world to vivid life. —Simon Callow, The New York Review of Books, 24 Sep. 2020

It was developed as an adaptation to the verse in Exodus 16:29, in which the Lord offered the Israelites manna but forbade them to gather and to carry any on the Sabbath. —Joseph Berger, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2023

After the ski areas received manna from heaven in the form of moisture-heavy snow and temperatures cold enough for making snow, however, Solitude reset its opening day to Friday. —Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Nov. 2022

If carrying a plastic jar freaks out the weight weenie in your life, Soom now puts this manna (and other flavors) in one-ounce packs. —Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 25 Nov. 2022

The characins feed on manna from heaven – insects that fall into the water from overhanging plants. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2012

For sports rights holders, this is manna from heaven. —Gavin Bridge, Variety, 19 Dec. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing manna

• manna grass

• manna grass

Kids Definition

manna

noun

man·​na ˈman-ə 

1

: food miraculously supplied to the Israelites in the wilderness

2

: a usually sudden and unexpected source of pleasure or gain

Medical Definition

manna

noun

man·​na ˈman-ə 

1

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

2

: a product that is similar to manna and is excreted by a scale insect (Trabutina mannipara) feeding on the tamarisk