japan
noun
any of various hard, durable, black varnishes, originally from Japan, for coating wood, metal, or other surfaces.
japan
1 American
[juh-pan]
/ dʒəˈpæn /
noun
-
any of various hard, durable, black varnishes, originally from Japan, for coating wood, metal, or other surfaces.
-
work varnished and figured in the Japanese manner.
-
Japans, a variety of decorative motifs or patterns derived from Asian sources, used on English porcelain of the 18th and 19th centuries.
adjective
verb (used with object)
japanned,
japanning
-
to varnish with japan; lacquer.
-
to coat with any material that gives a hard, black gloss.
Japan
2
American
[juh-pan]
/ dʒəˈpæn /
noun
-
Japanese Nihon, Nippon. a constitutional monarchy on a chain of islands off the eastern coast of Asia: main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. 141,529 sq. mi. (366,560 sq. km). Tokyo.
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Sea of Japan, a marginal sea bounded by North Korea, the Far Eastern mainland of Russia, the Russian island Sakhalin, Japan, and South Korea: largely enclosed from the Pacific Ocean and seldom affected by tides.
Japan.
3
American
abbreviation
Japan
1
British
/ dʒəˈpæn /
noun
japan
2
British
/ dʒəˈpæn /
noun
-
a glossy durable black lacquer originally from the Orient, used on wood, metal, etc
-
work decorated and varnished in the Japanese manner
-
a liquid used as a paint drier
adjective
verb
Japan
Cultural
Discover More
Although a world leader in shipbuilding, electronics, and automobile manufacture, Japan's economy suffered a severe slump during the 1990s.
Called the “Land of the Rising Sun,” Japan is symbolized by a red sun on a white background.
Japan's ports were first opened to Western traders in the sixteenth century but were closed in the seventeenth century. Japan remained in virtual isolation until the 1850s, when an American naval officer, Matthew C. Perry, persuaded the government to reopen trade with the West.
Another symbol (see also symbol) of Japan is Fujiyama, also called Mount Fuji, a volcano whose symmetrical snow-capped peak has been the object of countless pilgrimages, poems, and paintings. It has not erupted since 1707.
Suffering from overcrowding, lack of natural resources, and the influence of powerful military factions, Japan pursued an aggressive policy of expansion in China during the 1930s, ultimately resulting in a military alliance with Germany and Italy to form the Axis powers in World War II. (See also Hiroshima (see also Hiroshima), Pearl Harbor, and Douglas MacArthur.)
Imperial Japan was organized on a feudal system (see feudalism), characterized by the samurai (the warrior class, which eventually became landed gentry) and the shogun (the hereditary administrative leader). The emperor, believed to be divine, was the ceremonial leader. Japan is a constitutional monarchy today.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of japan1
First recorded in 1605–15; special use of Japan
Origin of Japan2
First recorded in 1570–80 as Giapan; from Malay Jăpung, Japang, from Middle Chinese; see origin at Nippon ( def. )
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.
See Examples For:
Shame on anyone who shall try to shame them for that and deny them basic rights. tpng813 Just like how japan denies its massive massacres across china.
From Time ● Aug. 13, 2013
She said that "them she bought of tin-peddlers wuzn't worth a cent—the japan all wore off of 'em."
From Samantha at the World's Fair by Baron C. de Grimm
In fact, the rubbing process constitutes a fine oil-finish, and requires a hard gum, whether it be of japan, varnish, or shellac.
From French Polishing and Enamelling A Practical Work of Instruction by Richard Bitmead
The repast on the table consisted of a can or large black-jack of small beer, and a japan bread-basket, full of sea-biscuit.
From Frank Mildmay Or, the Naval Officer by Frederick Marryat
Our greatest gratification was at the royal papier maché and japan works of Jennens & Bettridge.
From Young Americans Abroad Vacation in Europe: Travels in England, France, Holland, Belgium, Prussia and Switzerland by J.O. Choules
“We are creating a business that will be more resilient, more accountable, and better equipped to earn and maintain our customers’ trust,” said Hiromitsu Tokumaru, president and chief executive officer of Prudential of Japan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The UK joined Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands in reaffirming their "continued and unwavering support" for the ICC.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
Flu rates are also rising early in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere, such as Japan and the U.K.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
The assembly called for a fundamental revision of the Japan Status of Forces Agreement, including provisions on the handing over of suspects.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
But long before it reached those shores, it would strike Japan.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
“They wanted a little bit of help. And we’re always there for Japan. Japan’s been very good to us, with the exception, of course, of Pearl Harbor.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
“The hype started in Japan. In Japan there are even cafés where you have contact with capybaras. And the internet helped, and the public is always curious. They want to know about the species.”
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
“My ex-husband was a Chicano activist … I have other family members that are married to people from the Philippines, Korea, Japan. I have a Greek side to my family.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025
"This is my love letter to Japan. I really wish one day I can screen my film, and my family can also watch it," she added.
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2025
“Ate this in Japan. Decades ago. An international meet. Our team hosts said we had to try.”
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
His sponges were the ordinary reef sponges and these he would rinse in an old japanned basin, changing the water in the basin only when it became too bloody to return the sponges relatively clean.
From Time Magazine Archive
He lighted the shank of candle in the japanned candlestick and regarded the bed—as spineless as a hammock and covered with a dirty patchwork quilt, the cotton batting spilling from the edges.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
It was an old, battered, black japanned receptacle without a lock, and only secured against accidental opening by a wooden peg inserted through the catch.
From Betty Grier by Joseph Laing Waugh
With all these insects japanned or silvered pins should be used, or when not too large the insects should be mounted on triangles.
From Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects by C. V. Riley
This appears from Swift's endorsement of it—"Lady Worsley, with a present of a writing-box japanned by herself."
Varnishing is the last and the finishing process in japanning.
From Handbook on Japanning: 2nd Edition For Ironware, Tinware, Wood, Etc. With Sections on Tinplating and Galvanizing by William N. Brown
Those Birmingham manufacturers who were the first to practise japanning only on metals on which there was no need for a priming coat did not of course adopt such a practice.
From Handbook on Japanning: 2nd Edition For Ironware, Tinware, Wood, Etc. With Sections on Tinplating and Galvanizing by William N. Brown
In japanning it is best to have the oven at rather a lower temperature, increasing the heat after the work has been placed in the oven.
From Handbook on Japanning: 2nd Edition For Ironware, Tinware, Wood, Etc. With Sections on Tinplating and Galvanizing by William N. Brown
For some time he earned his living as a writing-master; after which he appears to have gone into the japanning trade, and in 1750 embarked some capital in a letter foundry.
From A Short History of English Printing, 1476-1898 by Alfred W. (Alfred William) Pollard
The above four receipts are used in japanning.
From Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets by Daniel Young
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
