Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

maru

noun (1)
Save Word
ma·​ru | \ ˈmä(ˌ)rü \
plural -s

Definition of maru

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a Japanese ship especially : a Japanese merchant ship

Maru

noun (2)
Ma·​ru | \ " \
plural Maru or Marus

Definition of Maru (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a Tibeto-Burman people of the Nmai river region in northeastern Burma
2 : a member of the Maru people

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for maru

Noun (1)

Japanese

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about maru

Statistics for maru

Cite this Entry

“Maru.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maru. Accessed 17 January 2020.

Comments on maru

What made you want to look up maru? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

tontine

Listen to the pronounciation of tontine

a plan in which a last survivor takes all

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games