daimyo

noun

dai·​myo ˈdī-mē-ˌō How to pronounce daimyo (audio)
-(ˌ)myō
variants or less commonly daimio
plural daimyo or daimyos also daimio or daimios
: a Japanese feudal baron

Examples of daimyo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As Japan’s leader, Ieyasu took steps to curb the daimyo’s influence and prevent rival feudal lords from threatening his reign. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 As Lockley explains, the daimyo ordered Yasuke to be washed, but his skin color remained unchanged. Jacquelyne Germain, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023 Inside the temple, a Black samurai named Yasuke has a tense conversation with the Japanese daimyo (warlord) Oda Nobunaga. Jacquelyne Germain, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023 Ishida Castle, the family seat of the former (and final) daimyo lord of Fukue, now functions as the local high school, as well as the city’s public library. Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2022 The season finale ties up a few other loose threads after the massive shootout with the Pykes leaves Boba to reign over Mos Espa as its undisputed daimyo. Lauren Morgan, EW.com, 9 Feb. 2022 Built by local daimyo Kato Kiyomasa in the early 1600s, Kumamoto Castle remains one of the most impressive feats of pre-modern architecture on the island of Kyushu (though most of its structures are now ferro-concrete rebuilds). CNN, 19 Jan. 2022 Meanwhile in the present, Fett and Shand have some work to do setting up shop and making sure everyone on Tatooine knows who the new daimyo in town is. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 29 Dec. 2021 Above: The Banryutei rock garden (the largest in Japan) at Kongobuji Temple in Koyasan, Japan, constructed in 1593 by the daimyo Hideyoshi. La Carmina, House Beautiful, 6 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'daimyo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Japanese daimyō

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of daimyo was in 1727

Dictionary Entries Near daimyo

Cite this Entry

“Daimyo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daimyo. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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