samurai

noun

sam·​u·​rai ˈsa-mə-ˌrī 

ˈsam-yə-

plural samurai

1

: a military retainer of a Japanese daimyo practicing the code of conduct of Bushido

2

: the warrior aristocracy of Japan

Examples of samurai in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lind, left impaled through the torso by a samurai sword, fatally shot Borhanian in self-defense. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 29 Jan. 2026

An exhibition that showcases the male elite and samurai class during early modern Japan. —Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026

But fame and power should only be pursued along a path aligned with virtue – a life in accord with the samurai’s core oath. —Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026

As in the original, Yaiba is a little samurai boy who has mostly spent time training in the forest with his father. —Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for samurai

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify

Kids Definition

samurai

noun

sam·​u·​rai ˈsam-(y)ə-ˌrī 

plural samurai

: a warrior serving a Japanese feudal lord and practicing a code of conduct which valued honor over life