katana

British  

/ kəˈtɑːnə /

noun

1. a long, curved single-edged sword traditionally used by Japanese samurai

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Etymology

Origin of katana

C18: Japanese

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Explanation

A Japanese samurai's curved sword was called a katana. In ancient military battles, katana were used in close combat. Samurai traditionally used two types of weapon, the longer, heavier tachi and the katana. With a single-sided, gently curved steel blade and a long grip, the katana was designed to be held with two hands and used in hand-to-hand combat. After Japan's Edo period, katanas were most often used for martial arts practice and ceremonies. The compound word katana is from kata, "one-sided," and na, "blade."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

katana

The prize: $10,000 in cash and an ornate Japanese katana.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

The 2015 release of "Touken Ranbu" has since turned some of its fans into serious admirers of the katana, the name given to the lightweight but extremely sharp Japanese sword with a curved blade.

From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026

Toranaga does not charge into the fray on a white horse, his katana dealing death on all sides.

From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2024

Behind the scenes, Zoro’s mouth katana had a lightweight handle and a thin wire tipped with a blue Nerf foam bullet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2023

A katana made by the swordsmith Masamune, it had been in the Miyamoto family, it was said, for six centuries.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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