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

Recent Examples on the Web
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Co-written by Swan and Bryan Hwang, the film combines action noir, psychological mystery and samurai mythology in a story set between modern Paris and feudal Japan. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 8 June 2026 This program focuses on a 3,000-year-old cold case involving a skeleton found in Japan covered in unusually deep cut marks that resemble the wounds from a samurai sword attack or shark bites. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 The open-world game follows a shinobi assassin and a powerful samurai caught in the midst of political unrest in feudal Japan. Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 23 May 2026 Directed by Kim Min-ha as a standalone sequel to his 2024 feature, the film stars Han Sun-hwa as a passionate student teacher who, along with a high school black magic club, must survive a supernatural, deadly version of a mock exam orchestrated by a 400-year-old samurai ghost. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 May 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 15 Jun. 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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