Hansa

American  

[han-suh, -zuh] / ˈhæn sə, -zə /

noun

1. a company or guild of merchants in a northern European medieval town.

2. a fee paid to a merchant guild by a new member.

3. Also called Hansa town,.  Also called Hansetown.  a town that is a member of the Hanseatic League.

4. Hanseatic League.

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Etymology

Origin of Hansa

< Medieval Latin; replacing Middle English hans, hanze < Middle Low German hanse; cognate with Old English hōs, Old High German, Gothic hansa company

Example Sentences

The Dresden-born 22-year-old, who has signed what the Ibrox club describe as "a long-term deal", has scored 13 goals, and contributed nine assists, in 45 appearances since joining Hansa from Borussia Monchengladbach in August 2024.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

The 23 containers arrived in Manila aboard the MV Hansa Augsburg in late September after Indonesian authorities "rejected and reexported" them after discovering traces of radioactive Caesium-137.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

Hamburger SV came from behind to beat Hansa Rostock 3-2 away to clinch a two-leg playoff against Hertha Berlin on May 19 and 23 to see which club plays in the Bundesliga next season.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2022

Guide and curator Bettina Güldner takes me to the Hansa blocks to highlight Bauhaus’s radical social value.

From The Guardian • Mar. 16, 2019

I can see Hansa, merchant ships, old fishing boats, trawlers, and even dinghies that have brought fleeing people from the nearby lagoon.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys