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• nano
  nano

  noun

  nanotechnology.
• nano-
  nano-

  a combining form with the meaning “very small, minute,” used in the formation of compound words (nanoplankton ); in the names of units of measure it has the specific sense “one billionth” (10-9 ).
• nano–
  nano–

  A prefix that means:

nano

¹ American  

[nan-oh, ney-noh] / ˈnæn oʊ, ˈneɪ noʊ /

noun

1. Informal. nanotechnology.

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nano- ² American  

especially before a vowel, nanno-;

1. a combining form with the meaning “very small, minute,” used in the formation of compound words (nanoplankton ); in the names of units of measure it has the specific sense “one billionth” (10-9 ).

   nanomole; nanosecond.

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nano- British  

combining form

1.  n.  denoting 10 ^–9

   nanosecond

2. indicating extreme smallness

   nanoplankton

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nano– Scientific  

1. A prefix that means:

2. Very small or at a microscopic level, as in nanotube. In this sense, this prefix is sometimes spelled nanno–, as in nannoplankton.

3. One billionth, as in nanosecond, one billionth of a second.

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nano- Cultural  

1. A prefix meaning one billionth.

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Usage

What does nano- mean? Nano- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “very small, minute.” In names of units of measure, it means "one billionth." It is often used in scientific and technical terms. Nano- comes from Greek nânos or nánnos, meaning “dwarf.”What are variants of nano-?In some rare instances, nano- is spelled with a double -n-, becoming nanno-, as in nannofossil. When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, nano- becomes nan-, as in nanoid. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use nan- article.

Etymology

Origin of nano¹

By shortening

Origin of nano-²

Combining form representing Greek nânos, nánnos dwarf

Example Sentences

After the iPod, there was an iPod mini, an iPod nano and an iPod shuffle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Wie, a professor of organic and nano engineering at Hanyang University in South Korea.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

Today, we are seeing advances in new areas of nano and quantum devices, but still, entropy is a pivotal concept.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2024

The researchers utilised Buckminster fullerenes, which are football-shaped molecules consisting of 60 carbon atoms, to transport individual Kr atoms into nano test tubes.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2024

As Max piloted the Vonnegut down to the surface, I prepared for the possibility of combat by charging up my armor and buffing my avatar with several potions and nano packs.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline