japan

adjective

Save Word

ja·pan | \ jə-ˈpan

Definition of japan

(Entry 1 of 3)

: of, relating to, or originating in Japan : of a kind or style characteristic of Japanese workmanship

japan

noun

Definition of japan (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : any of several varnishes yielding a hard brilliant finish

b : a hard dark coating containing asphalt and a drier that is used especially on metal and fixed by heating

— called also japan black

2 : work (such as lacquerware) finished and decorated in the Japanese manner

japan

verb

japanned; japanning

Definition of japan (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cover with or as if with a coat of japan

2 : to give a high gloss to

Other Words from japan Example Sentences Learn More About japan

Examples of japan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The man, who has requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of his claim -- media in japan have honored the request -- took six weeks off after his first son was born in 2015 and then another 13 months of leave before his son's second birthday. — Julie Zaugg And Yoko Wakatsuki, CNN, 12 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'japan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Buying Guide

Learn Japanese with language apps selected by our Reviews team.

Learn More About japan

Dictionary Entries Near japan

Jap

japan

Japan

Statistics for japan

Cite this Entry

“Japan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/japan. Accessed 5 Jul. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for japan

Japan geographical name

Ja·pan | \ jə-ˈpan

, ja- \

variants: or Japanese Nippon \ ni-ˈpän

, nē-ˈpȯⁿ \ or Nihon \ nē-ˈhȯn

Definition of Japan

country in eastern Asia comprising Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and other islands in the western Pacific; a constitutional monarchy; capital Tokyo area 145,914 square miles (377,915 square kilometers), population 126,168,000

— see also japanese