naan

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈnän How to pronounce naan (audio) ˈnan How to pronounce naan (audio)
variants or less commonly nan
: a round flat leavened bread especially of the Indian subcontinent

nan

2 of 2

noun (2)

less common spelling of naan

: a round flat leavened bread especially of the Indian subcontinent

Examples of naan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The restaurant has also put a twist on the traditional naan by offering naan pizza and naan tacos. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026 The menu focuses on Cal-Indian food with dishes such as kebabs, paneer, naan and roti. — Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
The delicate shape still nods to classic ballet flats, but the slight heel gives everything a little more polish, making the pairing feel less Sunday lunch with your nan and more Copenhagen Fashion Week. — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026 In West Virginia, there are nanas and nans, grams and grandmas, grannies, abuelas, and even some nonnas. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for naan

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Hindi & Urdu & Persian; Hindi & Urdu nān bread, from Persian

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of naan was in 1828

Browse Nearby Words

naam
naan
naartje
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Naan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naan. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Geographical Definition

Nan

geographical name

ˈnän How to pronounce Nan (audio)
river 390 miles (628 kilometers) long in northern Thailand flowing south to join the Ping River forming the Chao Phraya River
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