yamen

noun

ya·​men ˈyä-mən How to pronounce yamen (audio)
: the headquarters or residence of a Chinese government official or department

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) yámen

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yamen was in 1747

Rhymes for yamen

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Browse Nearby Words

Yamel
yamen
yam family
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Cite this Entry

“Yamen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yamen. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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