sensei

noun sen·sei \ ˈsen-ˌsā \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

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

LaRusso is looped back into karate soon after hearing the news but has slightly lost his way in life without his sensei Mr. Miyagi.

— chris chavez, SI.com, "Ralph Macchio Q&A: Karate Kid's Return With Cobra Kai, Mr. Miyagi's Legacy," 3 May 2018
Opening the gym reignites Lawrence’s old rivalry with LaRusso, who runs a successful car dealership, but is struggling to find balance in life without his sensei Mr. Miyagi.

— jodi guglielmi, PEOPLE.com, "Karate Kid's Ralph Macchio and William Zabka on Reprising Their Roles 34 Years Later," 2 May 2018
Instead, Johnny opens a dojo where he is destined to become the politically incorrect sensei to a group of outcast kids.

— nina metz, chicagotribune.com, "Buried by streaming. Again. Send help. Again.," 29 Mar. 2018
Use sensei instead of san for a teacher, doctor, or other type of professional.

— sophie friedman, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Essential Things to Know Before You Visit Tokyo," 22 Feb. 2018
Dambara named the business after Yoko Dambara, her late Japanese grandmother who was a master tea ceremony sensei in Tokyo.

— linda bladholm, miamiherald, "Green tea drinks, desserts fuse Japanese and Latin at Yoko Matcha | Miami Herald," 9 Jan. 2018
Like some sort of strategy sensei, Fehr and Carlson helped Beagle along and then released him into the world.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Calculated Risk: NHLers Turn to Classic Game for Entertainment on the Road," 12 Dec. 2017
Ishiguro-sensei becomes a source of fascination; he is transformed from a researcher to the man who made his copy.

— alex mar, WIRED, "Are We Ready for Intimacy With Androids?," 17 Oct. 2017
Jackie Chan is his sensei; Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn and Kumail Nanjiani lend their vocal talents, too.

— ben kenigsberg, New York Times, "Fall 2017 Movie Release Schedule," 8 Sep. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of sensei

Japanese, teacher, master

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1874

in the meaning defined above

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Definition of sensei

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