Utu

American  

[oo-too] / ˈu tu /

noun

1. the Sumerian sun god: the counterpart of the Akkadian Shamash.

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utu British  

/ uːtuː /

noun

1. compensation or reward

2. revenge or retribution

3. payment, price, or money

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Etymology

Origin of utu

Māori

Example Sentences

Saulque, vice chairwoman for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute tribe, draws a parallel between ousting the horses and the historic persecution of her people by the government.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2025

Donte Utu, a three-star prospect from Punahou HS, the famed Honolulu power, pledged to the Cardinal on Monday.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2024

There, however, he is imprisoned, only to be freed when the young warrior Utu opens a hole to the surface and carries Enkidu back out on a lofting breeze.

From The Guardian • Apr. 20, 2019

Others like Utu Abe Malae, chairman of the Republican Party in American Samoa, said that he would never support Trump, though he was not ready to commit to Cruz.

From Time • Apr. 24, 2016

Utu or payment is invariably expected for any injustice committed, and is exacted in some shape, the sufferer feeling debased in his own opinion until he obtains satisfaction.

From Austral English A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia by Morris, Edward Ellis