Akita

American  

[uh-kee-tuh] / əˈki tə /

noun

1. a seaport on northern Honshu, Japan, on the Sea of Japan.

2. Sometimes akita one of a Japanese breed of large, muscular dogs having a broad head with erect ears, a stiff coat of brown, red, black, or brindle color, and a long tail curled over its back: originally bred for hunting, now often used as a guard dog.

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akita British  

/ əˈkiːtə /

noun

1. a large powerfully-built dog of a Japanese breed with erect ears, a typically white coat, and a large full tail carried curled over its back

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Etymology

Origin of Akita

First recorded in 1925–30; from Japanese surname Akita “autumn ricefield”

Example Sentences

Hajime Nakae, professor of emergency and critical medicine at the Akita University Hospital, said the frequent bear sightings made him feel like he was "living inside... a safari park for bears".

From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025

Another comment that resonated came from Donald’s older sister, Akita.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2024

The cause of the accident at the facility in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, was still being investigated, the agency, JAXA, said.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2023

The cream white Akita Inu, born 100 years ago, has been memorialised in everything from books to movies to the cult science fiction sitcom Futurama.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2023

I was told that Akita produced apples and potatoes to the value of a million yen each and that there were ten co-operative apple societies.

From The Foundations of Japan Notes Made During Journeys Of 6,000 Miles In The Rural Districts As A Basis For A Sounder Knowledge Of The Japanese People by Scott, J.W. Robertson

Related Words

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