samurai

noun

sam·​u·​rai ˈsa-mə-ˌrī How to pronounce samurai (audio)
ˈsam-yə-
plural samurai
1
: a military retainer of a Japanese daimyo practicing the code of conduct of Bushido
2
: the warrior aristocracy of Japan

Examples of samurai 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.
Govan drew upon a wide array of influences for Latif’s clothes, referencing Tuareg (particularly in the indigo color palette) and Baye Fall African warriors, as well as the more utilitarian aspects of Japanese samurai clothing. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 Déclassé warriors, sometimes joined by street toughs from other walks of life, gave themselves the airs of swashbuckling samurai. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 This image influenced the Italian view of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, in which European journalists presented the Japanese soldiers as samurai-like paragons of discipline and self-sacrifice. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 22 Sep. 2026 Yeah, Sam has been a lone wolf, sort of a samurai, traveling the world on very high-stakes solo missions in all parts of the globe in dangerous hotspots. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for samurai

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of samurai was in 1727

Rhymes for samurai

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Browse Nearby Words

samum
samurai
Samvat
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Cite this Entry

“Samurai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samurai. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

samurai

noun
sam·​u·​rai ˈsam-(y)ə-ˌrī How to pronounce samurai (audio)
plural samurai
: a warrior serving a Japanese feudal lord and practicing a code of conduct which valued honor over life

More from Merriam-Webster on samurai

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about samurai

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