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• 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.

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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).

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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)

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Etymology

Origin of matsu

1860–65; < Japanese, earlier matu

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Matsu

"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

The incident interrupted online access across Matsu, intensifying concerns that Taiwan’s communications infrastructure was vulnerable.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 4, 2023

With the good-nature that rarely failed him, Matsu only shrugged his shoulders, giggled his habitual giggle and proceeded, unmoved by threats.

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