Wagyu

noun

Wa·​gyu ˈwä-(ˌ)gyü 

variants or less commonly wagyu

plural Wagyu also wagyu

1

: any of four strains of a breed of black or red Japanese cattle valued for their highly marbled meat

In the U.S., Japanese Wagyu cows have been crossbred with those of other breeds to produce unsurpassably tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef.

—Saveur

Note: Wagyu were developed in Japan in the late 1800s to 1910 by crossbreeding native cattle with European breeds.

2

or Wagyu beef or less commonly wagyu beef : beef from Wagyu cattle

The surface of my Wagyu was intricately laced with delicate veins of off-white fat—by laboratory measurement, three times more marbling fat than U.S. prime-grade beef, though with slightly less cholesterol.

—Jeffrey Steingarten

Wagyu beef is tender and flavorful because of its intramuscular fat, or marbling.

—Sam Gugino

compare kobe beef

Examples of Wagyu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Feast on shrimp or Wagyu beef grilled tableside, and a smorgasbord of sides, including veggies and savory kimchi pancakes. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026

More complexity and flavor—Japanese Wagyu is a little bit one-dimensional. — The Editors, Robb Report, 20 June 2026

The insane marbling on this American Wagyu cut makes the meat juicy and tender, without any hassle. — Martin Cizmar, Wired News, 18 June 2026

Across town, a hidden speakeasy inside Maple & Ash will pair marquee matchups with caviar mozzarella sticks, Wagyu skewers and craft cocktails. — Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese wagyū, from wa "Japan, Japanese" + gyū "cattle, cow"

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1