keiretsu

noun

kei·​ret·​su kā-ˈret-(ˌ)sü How to pronounce keiretsu (audio)
ke-
plural keiretsu also keiretsus
: a powerful alliance of Japanese businesses often linked by cross-shareholding

Examples of keiretsu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The second advantage of this open innovation model is that the keiretsu and chaebol get access to new ideas and products. Will Daniel, Fortune Asia, 30 June 2024 Traditionally, members of a keiretsu never sold themselves to members of another keiretsu, let alone foreign firms. Richard Katz, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2021 Their keiretsu system of manufacturers, supplies and distributors all working closely together has been imitated by other cultures since the 1980s, but has been hard to duplicate. Kerri Thurston, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2021 The keiretsu that flushed productive firms with capital during periods of high productivity proved unable to mobilize capital when those firms faced stresses. Daniel Tenreiro, National Review, 17 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, literally, system, series, from kei system + retsu row, line

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of keiretsu was in 1975

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Cite this Entry

“Keiretsu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keiretsu. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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