japan

1 of 3

adjective

ja·​pan jə-ˈpan How to pronounce japan (audio)
Synonyms of japannext
: of, relating to, or originating in Japan : of a kind or style characteristic of Japanese workmanship

japan

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: any of several varnishes yielding a hard brilliant finish
b
: a hard dark coating containing asphalt and a drier that is used especially on metal and fixed by heating

called also japan black

2
: work (such as lacquerware) finished and decorated in the Japanese manner

japan

3 of 3

verb

japanned; japanning

transitive verb

1
: to cover with or as if with a coat of japan
2
: to give a high gloss to
japanner noun

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1673, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of japan was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near japan

Jap

japan

Japan

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Cite this Entry

“Japan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/japan. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Geographical Definition

Japan

geographical name

Ja·​pan jə-ˈpan How to pronounce Japan (audio)
ja-
variants or Japanese Nippon
ni-ˈpän How to pronounce Japan (audio)
nē-ˈpȯⁿ
 or Nihon
nē-ˈhȯn How to pronounce Japan (audio)
country in eastern Asia comprising Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and other islands in the western Pacific; a constitutional monarchy; capital Tokyo area 145,914 square miles (377,915 square kilometers), population 126,168,000

see also japanese

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