sensei
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of sensei
< Japanese: teacher, master, doctor < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese xiānsheng ( xiān ahead + shēng born)
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.
"One day he stumbles upon a samurai sensei who teaches him...about real discipline and how he can not only protect himself, but protect other people too."
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
He wanted to be a better person and a sensei worthy of the kids he instructed.
From Salon ● Feb. 13, 2025
Somebody introduced me to my martial arts sensei.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 12, 2023
You’re probably already somewhat familiar with fourth-act Schwarzenegger, the cuddly sensei.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2023
Hanako’s sensei had also given her a list of math problems that she was supposed to use the abacus to figure out.
From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
