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In Japan, a geisha is a member of a professional class of women whose occupation is to entertain men. She must be adept at singing, dancing, and playing the samisen (a three-stringed musical instrument), in addition to being skilled at making conversation. The geisha system is thought to have emerged in the 17th century to provide a class of well-trained entertainers set apart from courtesans and prostitutes: though geisha sometimes had sexual relationships with clients, they were supposed to entertain primarily through their accomplishments. The numbers of geisha have declined from some 80,000 in the 1920s to a few thousand at present, almost all confined to Tokyo and Kyoto, where they are patronized by only the wealthiest businessmen and most influential politicians.
Examples of geisha in a Sentence
Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Over in Kyoto, strolling through the Gion geisha district offers a chance to admire traditional architecture that feels far removed from the city’s more modern neighborhoods.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
The opportunity to interact with a geisha is rare and often difficult for most tourists, but Kanazawa offers a few bookable performances that deliver an authentic experience.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
Since the Edo period, geishas have been a source of noble entertainment for affluent merchants and people of status.
—Malik Peay, Them., 15 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Geisha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geisha. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
geisha
noun
Japanese, from gei "art" and -sha "person"
