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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, nay-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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nano nano-

“The nano display, that’s really going to differentiate it, because it gives it a nice feel when you’re playing with the device.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

This allowed the team to separate out larger particles and keep only nano sized particles.

From Science Daily ● May 5, 2026

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

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

The work was carried out using the Low Temperature Laboratory, part of OtaNano, Finland's national infrastructure for nano-, micro- and quantum technologies.

From Science Daily ● May 5, 2026

The researchers then examined the plaque and found polyethylene micro- and nano- particles in 150 of the patients.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 7, 2024

As the "nano-" prefix implies, nanoplastics are very small pieces of plastic, less than 100 nanometers in size, that are released into the environment as a result of plastic disintegration.

From Salon ● Mar. 8, 2023

He’s a senior staff process engineer, with a focus on nano- and micro-assembly, at a company that makes computer hard drives.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 7, 2022

This usage is not yet common in the way nano- and micro- are, but should be instantly recognizable to any hacker.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Guy L. Steele

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