1 nana | Definition of nana

nana

noun
\ ˈna-nə How to pronounce nana (audio) \
plural nanas

Definition of nana

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

Definitely on my like list: the motion of the lotus blossoms, which reminds me of the June Taylor Dancers (Kids, ask your nana), and the rippling fire-ography near the end, after the tower emerges. Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Getting into the swim of ‘Rivers of Light: We Are One'," 3 July 2019 Mary was a loving daughter, mother, sister, nana, and friend to all. Orlando Sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/16," 16 June 2019 Note that your children want to grow up enjoying their nana or pop-pop. Andrea K. Mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "When is it time to take away the car keys from older parents?," 21 June 2018 Looks like nana Blossom was tossed down the stairs. refinery29.com, "Riverdale Season 2, Episode 16 Recap: "Primary Colors"," 22 Mar. 2018 The visor, a mere fragment of a hat, has a reputation as a classic elder accessory, beloved by bridge-playing nanas in Tampa. Madeline Fass, Vogue, "Is the Visor Making a Comeback? Kim Kardashian West and Dior Think So," 11 Apr. 2018 Dinner was forfeited for elaborate dessert spreads accompanied by pots of nana tea, Moroccan sweetened mint tea. Florence Steinberger, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mimouna sweets, a Moroccan tradition, herald the end of Passover," 3 Apr. 2018 The scientists named it Acmella nana—nanus being Latin for dwarf). Douglas Main, Newsweek, "Researchers Discover 48 New Snail Species, Including World's Smallest," 2 Nov. 2015 Barbara was a great and loving wife, mom, and nana. Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 2/13," 13 Feb. 2018

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

See More

First Known Use of nana

1899, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for nana

probably of baby-talk origin

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on nana

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with nana

Spanish Central: Translation of nana

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nana