origami

noun

ori·​ga·​mi ˌȯr-ə-ˈgä-mē How to pronounce origami (audio)
: the Japanese art or process of folding squares of paper into representational shapes

Examples of origami in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Tesla’s angular and origami-looking Cybertruck, which debuted in 2023, is now seen as a rebranding effort aimed at a new type of Tesla customer. John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 Paulino’s team used mathematical models from origami design to program these motions. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026 Try leaving an origami creation on your child's chair or a wildflower on their pillow. Gail Cornwall, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026 The structure could then be folded like origami, packed into a rocket, and flown to the Moon or Mars. Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for origami

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from ori fold + kami paper

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of origami was in 1948

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Cite this Entry

“Origami.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/origami. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

origami

noun
ori·​ga·​mi ˌȯr-ə-ˈgäm-ē How to pronounce origami (audio)
: the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes

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