japan
noun
any of various hard, durable, black varnishes, originally from Japan, for coating wood, metal, or other surfaces.
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japanned.
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
-
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
2
British
/ dʒəˈpæn /
noun
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
A japan screen was unfolded at the end of the room.
From The Young Duke by Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield
So her black japan casket which Harry was to carry to the coach was taken back to her ladyship's chamber, whither the maid and mistress retired.
From Henry Esmond; The English Humourists; The Four Georges by George Saintsbury
A convenient form in which to handle these pigments is Devoe's "coach colors," ground in japan.
From Handwork in Wood by William Noyes
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
It’s named for the Tokyo district known for its jazz kissa, cafés dating back to post-war Japan where visitors listen to vinyl on premium sound equipment.
From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2026
Japan has prioritized artificial intelligence infrastructure in a 15-year strategic investment plan.
From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026
Almost 55% of French debt was held overseas last year, according to European Union data, compared with 31% in the U.S. and 13% in Japan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
The findings could have implications far beyond Japan.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
Wernecke was surprised to see Haupt, telling him he had thought he was in Japan.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
“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
"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
“As it gets closer to the season, I’ll talk to the coaches and fix it. It was the same in Japan. When the season starts, I’ll make those adjustments.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2024
“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
One contained drums only; the next military toys, small swords, guns and pistols; the next would be all small carts; then came one with dolls’ furniture, most neatly made in japanned tin or iron.
From George Alfred Henty The Story of an Active Life by George Manville Fenn
Six champagne bottles.—These are not quite so substantial as they look, being merely half-bottles in thin metal, japanned black, and decorated with labels taken from the genuine article.
From Magic In which are given clear and concise explanations of all the well-known illusions as well as many new ones. by Ellis Stanton
You met them with their brown canvas satchels and japanned tin specimen-cases, poking about up the Trwyn or groping in the boggy patches about Sarn.
From Mushroom Town by Oliver Onions
As painting suited his talents, he entered into the lucrative branch of japanning, and resided at No. 22, in Moor-street.
From An History of Birmingham (1783) by William Hutton
The above four receipts are used in japanning.
From Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets by Daniel Young
Pianos, cradles, arm-chairs, indeed complete drawing-room suites, cornices, door-plates, and a variety of ornaments are displayed, in addition to the tea-trays and tea-chests in which the art of japanning first became known to us.
From Rides on Railways by Samuel Sidney
When white or other light tones are used for japanning they are mixed with japanners' varnish, and these require more careful heating in the oven or stove than darker tints or brown or black.
From Handbook on Japanning: 2nd Edition For Ironware, Tinware, Wood, Etc. With Sections on Tinplating and Galvanizing by William N. Brown
Dick interposed with a question as to the process, aim, and object of japanning, but Mr Button passed the question by.
From The Blue Lagoon: a romance by H. De Vere (Henry De Vere) Stacpoole
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