Definition of yakuza
yakuza
1 : a Japanese gangster
2 : an organized crime syndicate in Japan
People Are Reading
Recent Examples of yakuza from the Web
-
The reason for this hardline stance against tattoos in public places is that, because in Japan, tattoos are associated with yakuza — or members the Japanese mafia.
-
Copying Seymour’s files, which the author had gathered from archives, courts, and a confidential source’s hidden trailer, Begley glimpsed the far reaches of the speculation: bioweapons, Lebanese heroin shipments, Howard Hughes, the yakuza.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yakuza'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of yakuza
Japanese, ruffian, gangster
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up yakuza? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!