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

Once visited by emperors seeking clarity and samurai tending to battle wounds, these onsen remain cornerstones of Japanese culture. —Kelsey Eisen, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026

After more than four decades and upwards of 50 features, Kiyoshi Kurosawa has made his first samurai feature. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026

With nods to films of the samurai and shoot-em-up genres, Beetz gives the physical performance of a lifetime, wielding swords and firing guns at a building full of evil yuppies. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026

Forest Whitaker stars as a mafia hitman who lives by a samurai code. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026

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