Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • matsu
    matsu
    noun
    a pine, Pinus massoniana, of China, yielding a wood used in furniture-making, the construction of houses, etc.
  • Matsu
    Matsu
    noun
    an island off the southeastern coast of China, in the East China Sea: controlled by Taiwan. 17 sq. mi. (44 sq. km).

matsu

1 American  
[mat-soo] / ˈmæt su /

noun

  1. a pine, Pinus massoniana, of China, yielding a wood used in furniture-making, the construction of houses, etc.


Matsu 2 American  
[mat-soo, mat-soo, mah-dzoo] / mætˈsu, ˈmæt su, ˈmɑ dzu /
(Pinyin) Mazu

noun

  1. Wade-Giles. an island off the southeastern coast of China, in the East China Sea: controlled by Taiwan. 17 sq. mi. (44 sq. km).


Matsu British  
/ mætˈsuː /

noun

  1. an island group in Formosa Strait, off the SE coast of mainland China: belongs to Taiwan. Pop: 9800 (2007 est). Area: 44 sq km (17 sq miles)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of matsu

1860–65; < Japanese, earlier matu

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:

"Nagi Notes", starring Takako Matsu and Shizuka Ishibashi, explores the overlapping lives of a cast of characters in rural Okayama Prefecture, each lonely in their own way.

From Barron's May 13, 2026

The drills, which started early Thursday, are happening all around the main island, including the Taiwan Strait to its west, and around the Taiwanese islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.

From BBC May 22, 2024

Last year, the outlying Matsu islands, within view of the Chinese coast, endured patchy internet for months after two undersea internet cables broke.

From New York Times Mar. 14, 2024

But news of the announcement appeared to have gone unnoticed in Matsu.

From Seattle Times Sep. 14, 2023

Just as he threw down his first armful of mesquite, the accident befell the potatoes, and he waited to see what Matsu would do.

From Travelers Five Along Life's Highway by Johnston, Annie F. (Annie Fellows)

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training