Meiji

American  

[mey-jee] / ˈmeɪˈdʒi /

noun

Japanese History.

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

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Meiji British  

/ ˈmeɪˈdʒiː /

noun

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

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

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Etymology

Origin of Meiji

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

Example Sentences

Europe today faces the same choices Japan did before the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

This gap in understanding led researchers at Kyoto University and Meiji University to investigate whether supernova remnants might hold the missing clues.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2025

Considering the Meiji period was when the samurai became obsolete, the potential for social commentary mixed in with high-stakes combat seems pretty high.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025

Last November, a 65-year-old American tourist was arrested on suspicion of scrawling graffiti onto a wooden gate at the Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2025

For instance, the era immediately prior to the Showa era was called the Meidji era rather than the Meiji era.

From An Introduction to the History of Japan by Hara, Katsuro