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Nectar is often mentioned in conjunction with ambrosia, the food of the Greek and Roman gods. For centuries, English speakers have used ambrosia to refer to something with an extremely pleasing taste or smell, and nectar to refer to a delicious drink, especially a fruit juice. To the ancient Greeks and Romans, however, the powers of nectar and ambrosia far exceeded those of any earthly fare; consuming nectar and ambrosia gave the gods their immortality. In Greek, the literal meanings of ambrosia and nectar are "immortality" and "overcoming death," respectively. Nektar is believed to be a compound of Greek nek- (probably akin to Latin nec-, meaning "death") and -tar (probably akin to Sanksrit tarati, meaning "he overcomes or crosses over").
Examples of nectar in a Sentence
Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
An enzyme called glucose oxidase, which bees add to nectar, turns glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide when the honey is diluted (for example, by wound moisture or saliva).
—New Atlas, 29 June 2025
Hummingbirds need nectar and hydration to nourish them after their long journey.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025
By cultivating a rich environment with varied flowers and nectar sources, ladybugs will find a nurturing home.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Nectar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nectar. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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nectar
noun
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