Wagyu

noun

Wa·​gyu ˈwä-(ˌ)gyü 

variants or less commonly wagyu

plural Wagyu also wagyu

1

: any of four strains of a breed of black or red Japanese cattle valued for their highly marbled meat

In the U.S., Japanese Wagyu cows have been crossbred with those of other breeds to produce unsurpassably tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef.

—Saveur

Note: Wagyu were developed in Japan in the late 1800s to 1910 by crossbreeding native cattle with European breeds.

2

or Wagyu beef or less commonly wagyu beef : beef from Wagyu cattle

The surface of my Wagyu was intricately laced with delicate veins of off-white fat—by laboratory measurement, three times more marbling fat than U.S. prime-grade beef, though with slightly less cholesterol.

—Jeffrey Steingarten

Wagyu beef is tender and flavorful because of its intramuscular fat, or marbling.

—Sam Gugino

compare kobe beef

Examples of Wagyu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The beef Philly cheesesteak features Wagyu roast beef and is accompanied by thick red and green peppers, and provolone cheese. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025

Most Creative: The Wagyu bacon cheeseburger deviled eggs slider has Cajun seasoned Wagyu patty, melted aged cheddar and applewood bacon. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025

Each bite of nigiri or Wagyu was its own show of flavor and texture. —Gracie Wiener, Air Mail, 16 Aug. 2025

The legacy of Reynolds Land and Cattle Co. is as rare as Olive Wagyu. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese wagyū, from wa "Japan, Japanese" + gyū "cattle, cow"

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1