yakuza

American  

[yah-koo-zah] / ˈyɑ kʊˌzɑ /

noun

plural

yakuza

1. any of various tightly knit Japanese criminal organizations having a ritualistic, strict code of honor.

2. such organizations collectively.

3. a member of such an organization; gangster.

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yakuza British  

/ jəˈkuːzə /

noun

1. a Japanese criminal organization involved in illegal gambling, extortion, gun-running, etc

2. a member of this organization

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Etymology

Origin of yakuza

1960–65; < Japanese: racketeer, gambler, good-for-nothing, useless, from the name of a game in which the worst hand is of three cards marked ya eight, ku nine (< Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese jiǒu ), and -za three (combining form of sa ( n ) < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese sān )

Example Sentences

Kikuo is more gifted but in this nepotistic art form, being part of a respected kabuki lineage is crucial, something this yakuza scion doesn’t possess.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

It tells the dark fantasy story of orphaned teenager Denji, who is killed by the yakuza but reborn by merging with his pet devil to become Chainsaw Man.

From Barron's • Nov. 2, 2025

The yakuza membership has shrunk to 20,400 last year, one-third what it was two decades ago, according to the National Police Agency.

From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024

"Itami was a very tongue-in-cheek filmmaker and he did a movie about the yakuza," Wu said.

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2024

The taboo intensified in post-war Japan when films on the yakuza boomed in the 1970s and 1980s.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2023