Meiji

[ mey-jee ]

/ ˈmeɪˈdʒi /

noun Japanese History.

the designation of the period of the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito from 1868 to 1912.

Origin of Meiji

1870–75; < Japanese meiji, earlier meidi enlightened peace < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese míng bright + zhì pacify

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for meiji

One was a 19-year-old student at Meiji University and the other a 28-year old man in Fukuoka Prefecture.
‘I Will Commit a Massacre’|Jake Adelstein, Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky|February 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the thirtieth year of Meiji, on the first day of the fifth month, by the house of Inouy, this sotoba has been set up.
Exotics and Retrospectives|Lafcadio Hearn
The 11th of February in the 22d year of Meiji saw the promulgation of the imperial Constitution.
Japan|Various
It was, however, only after the inauguration of the Meiji era that education became thorough and universal.
A Fantasy of Far Japan|Baron Kencho Suyematsu

The fifth day of the seventh month of the thirtieth year of Meiji, by —— ——, this sotoba has been set up.
Exotics and Retrospectives|Lafcadio Hearn
The next letter is dated June 27th, '92, 25th year of Meiji.
Lafcadio Hearn|Nina H. Kennard

British Dictionary definitions for meiji

Meiji

/ (ˈmeɪˈdʒiː) /

noun

Japanese history the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito (1867–1912), during which Japan began a rapid process of Westernization, industrialization, and expansion in foreign affairs

the throne name of Mutsuhito (ˌmuːtsʊˈhiːtəʊ). 1852–1912, emperor of Japan (1867–1912)

Word Origin for Meiji

Japanese, from Chinese ming enlightened + dji government

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