katana
noun
ka·ta·na
ˌkə-ˈtä-nə 
plural katanas
: a slightly curved, single-edged sword historically worn by the Japanese samurai
Set in the Taisho era of Japan, the supernatural blends in seamlessly with the historical era as the primary weapon of choice for the characters is the katana, a traditional Japanese sword.—
Lani Lee
Lani LeeThe neon-hued cyberpunk motif serves as the backdrop for [John] Wick to exude his skill with katanas …—Harry Khachatrian
Harry KhachatrianWednesday's episode of "Forged in Fire" was a surreal experience, said Mike Deibert … because he was asked to make a katana, inspired by Hatori Hanzo and the movie "Kill Bill," a first for him.—Craig Shoup
Craig ShoupExamples of katana in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
A number of the women have a penchant for swinging katanas.
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Other Eastern influences appeared, for example, as a handle reminiscent of a katana sword on the Virtù cabinet or a winding dragon in gold leaf on its light wood surface.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
In the late 1500s and early 1600s, katanas became less curved.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
So Blackthorne chases Buntaro out into the village, pistol in hand, but Buntaro surrenders his katana and bows in shame, blaming too much sake as the reason for his actions.
—Jesse Raub, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2024
This time, the struggle occurs in 16th-century Japan during the Sengoku period, so expect plenty of katana clashes.
—Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 13 Feb. 2025
Image Another symbol of harmony, a Japanese mon, or heraldic emblem, adorns a pair of Japanese lacquered katana cases — the protective sheath of a blade — from one family in the Edo period.
—Walker Mimms, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
That’s why the couple is back here one week later: to dig through the rubble in an attempt to find a katana sword said to have been surrendered to Sims’ grandfather William J. Sims II, then a major in the U.S. Marine Corps, near the end of World War II.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
These include a raccoon dressed as a ninja with a katana and a Jingasa hat, which should be officially added to the game before the next update.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Other Eastern influences appeared, for example, as a handle reminiscent of a katana sword on the Virtù cabinet or a winding dragon in gold leaf on its light wood surface.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
In the late 1500s and early 1600s, katanas became less curved.
—Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025
So Blackthorne chases Buntaro out into the village, pistol in hand, but Buntaro surrenders his katana and bows in shame, blaming too much sake as the reason for his actions.
—Jesse Raub, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2024
This time, the struggle occurs in 16th-century Japan during the Sengoku period, so expect plenty of katana clashes.
—Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 13 Feb. 2025
Image Another symbol of harmony, a Japanese mon, or heraldic emblem, adorns a pair of Japanese lacquered katana cases — the protective sheath of a blade — from one family in the Edo period.
—Walker Mimms, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
That’s why the couple is back here one week later: to dig through the rubble in an attempt to find a katana sword said to have been surrendered to Sims’ grandfather William J. Sims II, then a major in the U.S. Marine Corps, near the end of World War II.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025
These include a raccoon dressed as a ninja with a katana and a Jingasa hat, which should be officially added to the game before the next update.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Katana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/katana. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share