Ainu

noun

Ai·​nu ˈī-(ˌ)nü How to pronounce Ainu (audio)
plural Ainu or Ainus
1
: a member of an Indigenous people of the Japanese archipelago, the Kuril Islands, and part of Sakhalin Island
2
: the language of the Ainu people

Examples of Ainu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This one still offers precise, flavorful food served on wood dishes made by Ainu craftsmen nearly 70 years ago, when the restaurant first opened. — Alex Halberstadt, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026 There’s biodiversity in the different areas, from the Sumi-e ink wash paintings to foraging for mushrooms and fish to the Ainu culture. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025 Both Okinawans and the Ainu are, in Japan, minority cultures. — Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025 Learn About the Ainu Photo: Getty Images Most Popular Fashion Week Troye Sivan’s Fashion Week Look? — Christina Liao, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Ainu

Word History

Etymology

Ainu aynu person

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ainu was in 1811

Rhymes for Ainu

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Browse Nearby Words

Ainoid
Ainu
aioli
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Cite this Entry

“Ainu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ainu. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Ainu

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Ainu

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