daimyo

American  

[dahy-myaw] / ˈdaɪ myɔ /

Or daimio

noun

Japanese History.

plural

daimyo, daimyos

1. one of the great feudal lords who were vassals of the shogun.

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daimyo British  

/ ˈdaɪmjəʊ /

noun

1. (in Japan) one of the territorial magnates who dominated much of the country from about the 11th to the 19th century

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Etymology

Origin of daimyo

1830–40; < Japanese, equivalent to dai big, great (< Chinese ) + myō name (< Chin)

Example Sentences

Although the daimyo were allowed to remain governors of their former lands, the samurai were no longer their retainers.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

Through this “alternate attendance policy” and other restrictions, Ieyasu tamed the daimyo.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Below him were the daimyo, the powerful landholding samurai.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The shogun parceled out land to the daimyo, or lords.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

The remainder of the domestics, who were not raised to the rank of daimyo, were comprised under the name of hatamoto, which means "under the standard," that is to say, the Body-guard of the Shogun.

From An Introduction to the History of Japan by Hara, Katsuro