San

¹ American  

[sahn] / sɑn /

noun

plural

Sans,

plural

San

1. a member of a nomadic aboriginal people of southern Africa.

2. any of more than a dozen related Khoisan languages spoken by the San.

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San ² American  

[sahn] / sɑn /

noun

1. a river in central Europe, flowing from the Carpathian Mountains in W Ukraine through SE Poland into the Vistula: battles 1914–15. About 280 miles (450 km) long.

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-san ³ American  

1. a suffix used in Japanese as a term of respect after names or titles.

   Suzuki-san; samurai-san.

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San ¹ British  

/ sɑːn /

noun

1. an aboriginal people of southern Africa

2. a group of the Khoisan languages, spoken mostly by Bushmen

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San ² British  

/ sɑːn /

noun

1. a river in E central Europe, rising in W Ukraine and flowing northwest across SE Poland to the Vistula River. Length: about 450 km (280 miles)

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san ³ British  

/ sæn /

noun

1. old-fashioned short for sanatorium

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Etymology

Origin of -san

< Japanese, contraction of -sama suffix denoting direction, appearance, respect

Example Sentences

The San Francisco-based bank is expecting net interest income in 2026 to reach about $50 billion, marking no change in its guidance from the previous quarter.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

Max and I live with our two kids in the San Fernando Valley outside of Los Angeles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The network will also provide coverage leading up to the event with anchors Chris Cuomo and Leland Vittert, whose show will air live from San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

"I'm grateful that Mr Altman, his family, and his employees were uninjured in these attacks and are safe," San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said at a Monday press conference on the state charges.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

I’d heard the song often back in San Francisco at my friend Mary’s place.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu