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

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

"I found myself growing absorbed in the craft itself, especially the hamon" -- distinctive, milky-white patterns along the hardened edge of a katana.

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

You start off with a simple katana, but Wild Hearts’ “Karakuri” feature lets you build defensive structures, traps and vehicles on the fly.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2023

As tall as a hat rack Alma was, and as drab as a bad banana, and Alma’s natty salad-saw — as sharp as a katana!

From Washington Post • Nov. 10, 2022

Only one channel came in, some kind of weird repeating infomercial with a woman selling letter openers that looked a little like katana blades, which was not going to make Ernie feel any better.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds