Manhattan

noun

Man·​hat·​tan man-ˈha-tᵊn How to pronounce Manhattan (audio)
mən-
variants or less commonly manhattan
plural Manhattans also manhattans
: a cocktail consisting typically of whiskey, vermouth, and bitters
… a cocktail bar focusing on the classics such as martinis, Manhattans and boulevardiers.Nico Madrigal-Yankowski
A Manhattan has three key ingredients: A whiskey you like, sweet vermouth, and bitters. A purist will say you should use rye.Michael Corcoran
For a classic manhattan, I'd grab a solid, classic rye.Al Sotack

Word History

Etymology

Manhattan, borough of New York City

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Manhattan was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near Manhattan

Cite this Entry

“Manhattan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Manhattan. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Geographical Definition

Manhattan

geographical name

Man·​hat·​tan man-ˈha-tᵊn How to pronounce Manhattan (audio)
mən-
1
city on the Kansas River in the northeast central part of the state of Kansas population 52,281
2
island 13 miles (21 kilometers) long in southeastern New York surrounded by the Hudson River, Harlem River, Spuyten Duyvil Creek, East River, and Upper New York Bay
3
borough of New York City comprising Manhattan Island, several small adjacent islands, and a small area (Marble Hill) on the mainland population 1,585,873

Note: Manhattan contains one of the world's chief financial and commercial areas.

Manhattanite noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!