santoku

noun san·to·ku \ ˌsan-ˈtō-kü \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Definition of santoku

plural santokus

: a medium-sized, multipurpose kitchen knife of Japanese origin that has a lightweight blade with a straight or slightly curved cutting edge and a spine that curves downward to the tip

The santoku has long been the Japanese equivalent of a chef's knife … . Compared with a classic chef's knife, the santoku is typically shorter and has a thinner blade, a stubbier tip, and a straighter edge.
—Maryellen Driscoll

Recent Examples of santoku from the Web

The two offerings from Kikuichi Cutlery are a Japanese take on a Western-style chef's knife known as a gyuto, and a six-inch bun'ka which resembles a santoku with a more aggressive snout.

— joe ray, WIRED, "You Need a New Kitchen Knife," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'santoku.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of santoku

borrowed from Japanese santoku-(bōchō), literally, "three-virtues (knife)," from san "three" + toku "virtue"

Note: The Japanese word supposedly refers to the multiple functions of the knife (an adaptation of Western kitchen knives), though its precise origin has not been illuminated.

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1993

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year