Meiji

[ mey-jee ]

nounJapanese History.
  1. the designation of the period of the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito from 1868 to 1912.

Origin of Meiji

1
1870–75; <Japanese meiji, earlier meidi enlightened peace <Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese míng bright + zhì pacify

Words Nearby Meiji

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Meiji in a sentence

  • In Japan, for example, Colley does not much highlight the rising demands from below for more rights, which persuaded the Meiji oligarchs to consolidate imperial rule through a constitution.

  • One was a 19-year-old student at Meiji University and the other a 28-year old man in Fukuoka Prefecture.

    ‘I Will Commit a Massacre’ | Jake Adelstein, Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky | February 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • It may be interesting to say a word here about some of the distinguished foreigners who visited Japan during the Meiji era.

    Japan | Various
  • The 11th of February in the 22d year of Meiji saw the promulgation of the imperial Constitution.

    Japan | Various
  • It was, however, only after the inauguration of the Meiji era that education became thorough and universal.

    A Fantasy of Far Japan | Baron Kencho Suyematsu
  • Hearn's marriage, as his widow told us, took place early in the year of 1891, "23rd of Meiji."

    Lafcadio Hearn | Nina H. Kennard
  • A Buddhist land, its system of government is very similar to that of Japan before the Meiji, the revolution of 1868.

    Life in an Indian Outpost | Gordon Casserly

British Dictionary definitions for Meiji

Meiji

/ (ˈmeɪˈdʒiː) /


noun
  1. Japanese history the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito (1867–1912), during which Japan began a rapid process of Westernization, industrialization, and expansion in foreign affairs

  2. the throne name of Mutsuhito (ˌmuːtsʊˈhiːtəʊ). 1852–1912, emperor of Japan (1867–1912)

Origin of Meiji

1
Japanese, from Chinese ming enlightened + dji government

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012