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.
This summer alone, TSA has found two live smoke grenades, an inert grenade, a pipe bomb look-alike and a samurai sword hidden in a guitar case. — CBS News, 30 July 2026 Adding to the challenge was the fact that, these days, even many Japanese find the old-style samurai genre alien as much as does the Westerner. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 For Sengoku-period samurai, the tea ceremony was not just about enjoying tea. — Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 27 July 2026 The Revuelto Impavido comes in a unique livery inspired meant to look like samurai armor. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 July 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 6 Aug. 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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