japan

adjective

ja·pan | \ jə-ˈpan

How to pronounce japan (audio)

\

Definition of japan

(Entry 1 of 4)

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

japan

noun

Definition of japan (Entry 2 of 4)

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 4)

transitive verb

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

2 : to give a high gloss to

Japan

geographical name

Ja·pan | \ jə-ˈpan

How to pronounce Japan (audio)

, ja-\

variants: or Japanese Nippon \ ni-ˈpän

How to pronounce Nippon (audio)

, nē-ˈpȯⁿ \ or Nihon \ nē-ˈhȯn

How to pronounce Nihon (audio)

\

Definition of Japan (Entry 4 of 4)

country in eastern Asia comprising Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and other islands in the western Pacific; a constitutional monarchy; capital Tokyo area 143,619 square miles (371,973 square kilometers), population 128,057,352

see also japanese

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Time Traveler for japan

The first known use of japan was in 1673

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