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

Other prizes include gift cards to WeHo restaurants like the buzzy Dialog Cafe and Katana, and complimentary bottle service and entry to Keys nightclub.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

"This is an ugly political message," said Gordana Katana, a journalist and activist from the Serb Republic's city of Banja Luka.

From Reuters • Aug. 4, 2023

Former cult member Titus Katana says he knows most of Mackenzie's aides and the majority have been arrested.

From BBC • May 18, 2023

Ms. Herrell “understands the struggles and she also understands that we are wanting to keep the culture,” said Katana Wolf, a 39-year-old who works in behavioral health and lives in Las Cruces.

From New York Times • Oct. 27, 2022

Beyond Katana begins the Djebel el Djoushe, which continues as far as the Djebel Salehie, near Damascus, uniting, on its western side, the lower ridge of mountains of the Djebel Essheikh.

From Travels in Syria and the Holy Land by Burckhardt, John Lewis