sensei

noun sen·sei \ ˈsen-ˌsā \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of sensei

plural sensei or senseis

:a teacher or instructor usually of Japanese martial arts (such as karate or judo)

Recent Examples of sensei from the Web

Karate has enabled him to spend more quality time with dad Eugene, a fifth-degree black belt who is the sensei for the World Tiger and Crane Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Organization at Pompey Park in Delray Beach.

— gary curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Delray karate youth excel in Homestead International competition," 18 Aug. 2017
The curator then assigns the user 50 daily tasks - in a kind of gruesome sensei-student relationship.

— amber ferguson and kyle swenson, chicagotribune.com, "Family says teen killed himself in 'Blue Whale' challenge that's alarming schools," 12 July 2017
The idea is to be an honorable, nurturing sensei for your menagerie of weird little creatures – not just to teach them to fight like cybercocks but also to help them evolve onward to a more ennobled state.

— mark jacobson, Daily Intelligencer, "The Generation Gap in My Living Room," 30 June 2017
Qi finally meets the old sensei, who fights on even after he's forced to send his underlings scurrying to safety, and the elder puts up a hell of a fight.

— john defore, The Hollywood Reporter, "'God of War': Film Review," 2 June 2017
In the video, Soko Glam co-founder/K-beauty sensei Charlotte Cho is the guinea pig and remains impressively chipper throughout the process.

— kelsi zimmerman, Marie Claire, "The "100 Layers of Sheet Masks" Challenge Is Extra in the Best Way," 22 May 2017
My sensei explained only by moving my hips back and keeping my arms straight would the nirvana of a wheelie be attained.

— peter rubin, WIRED, "Making a Dirt Dog, Vol. 1: A Road Rider Tries the Trails," 22 Oct. 2012

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