shiatsu

American

[shee-aht-soo] / ʃiˈɑt su /

Or shiatzu

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

a Japanese massage technique that includes the use of acupressure.

shiatsu British

/ ˌʃiːˈætsuː /

noun

Also called: acupressure. massage in which pressure is applied to the same points of the body as in acupuncture

"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

Etymology

Origin of shiatsu

< Japanese < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese chǐ finger + yā pressure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You’d be better off putting the money toward a session with someone trained in Shiatsu massage than jabbing at yourself/a loved one with this stick.

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2019

When Kinetic Sand just won’t cut it, a Shiatsu kneading massager for head, back, and feet may be the big-ticket item that does the trick.

From Slate • Dec. 11, 2017

Inside, there is ambient lighting inspired by Japanese lanterns, and front and rear seats with heating, cooling and Shiatsu massage functions.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2017

There are no luxury hotels, no casinos, no place to rent jet skis or get a Shiatsu massage.

From Washington Post

It does Swedish soft and soothing or Shiatsu deep tissue.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023