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

Although the restaurant specializes in premium cuts of meat including Wagyu ribeye, Cowboy ribeye and the Instagram-worthy Flaming Tomahawk, its seafood and gourmet-quality sides have garnered rave reviews. —Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

The gourmet dogs are made with 100% American Wagyu beef, and the quality really shines in fan favorites like The Carolina and The Philly Dog. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 26 July 2025

Its eight- and 11-course tasting-only menus are guided by the seasons, but Wagyu beef tartare, homemade ricotta gnudi and striped sea bass are signature dishes. —Mariette Williams, USA Today, 24 July 2025

Sushi offerings include various rolls such as Spicy Tuna, Yellowtail Scallion and a Wagyu roll. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 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