samurai

noun

sam·​u·​rai ˈsa-mə-ˌrī How to pronounce samurai (audio)
ˈsam-yə-
plural samurai
1
: a military retainer of a Japanese daimyo practicing the code of conduct of Bushido
2
: the warrior aristocracy of Japan

Examples of samurai in a Sentence

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Forest Whitaker stars as a mafia hitman who lives by a samurai code. Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026 The report says the brand recently cancelled a port of the samurai action game Ghost of Yotei. James Peckham, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026 The second floor houses José Andrés' Bazaar, a unique dining experience inspired by the 17th-century samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga's voyage. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026 The drama unfolds in late-Edo period Kyoto and follows the Shinsengumi, the storied samurai corps that served as the shogunate’s last line of defense during one of Japan’s most turbulent political transitions. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for samurai

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of samurai was in 1727

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Cite this Entry

“Samurai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samurai. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

samurai

noun
sam·​u·​rai ˈsam-(y)ə-ˌrī How to pronounce samurai (audio)
plural samurai
: a warrior serving a Japanese feudal lord and practicing a code of conduct which valued honor over life

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