daimyo

noun

dai·​myo ˈdī-mē-ˌō How to pronounce daimyo (audio)
-(ˌ)myō
variants or less commonly daimio
plural daimyo or daimyos also daimio or daimios
: a Japanese feudal baron

Examples of daimyo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For more than a century, between 1467 and 1603, rival feudal lords known as daimyo fought for control of the Asian archipelago, attempting—with varying degrees of success—to unite the warring states. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024 Born into a minor daimyo family, Ieyasu spent part of his youth as a hostage under the powerful daimyo Imagawa Yoshimoto. — Maddie Garfinkle, Peoplemag, 19 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Japanese daimyō

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of daimyo was in 1727

Browse Nearby Words

daimonion
daimyo
daincha
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Daimyo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daimyo. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about daimyo

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