nunchaku
noun
nun·cha·ku
ˈnən-ˌchək 
ˌnən-ˈchä-kü
ˌnən-ˈchä-kü
plural nunchaku or nunchakus
: a weapon of Japanese origin that consists of two sticks joined at their ends by a short length of rawhide, cord, or chain
—usually plural
Note: The sticks of nunchakus are traditionally hardwood, but modern versions are made of various materials including metal and plastic.
Essentially two 12-inch sticks bound together by a short, double nylon cord, the nunchaku (pronounced nun-cha-koo) obtained prominence in America in the '70s, when kung fu fighter Bruce Lee wielded it with furious grace in his cult-classic movies.—
William Plummer and Robin Micheli
William Plummer and Robin Michelicalled also nunchuck
Examples of nunchaku in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kwong was also an accomplished martial artist, working in Northern Shaolin kung fu, Chinese kata and with weapons including swords, staffs, spears and nunchaku.
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Check out Kwong’s demo reel circa 2009 here: Kwong also was an accomplished martial artist, working in Northern Shaolin kung fu, Chinese kata and with weapons including swords, staffs, spears and nunchaku.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Minolta created modular cameras that could be decoupled, the optics tethered to the LCD body with a cord, like photographic nunchaku.
—Ars Technica, 29 Nov. 2024
Most notably, an animatronic model of E.T.’s head realized $635,000, the robot from Lost In Space achieved $455,000, and Bruce Lee’s nunchaku from Fist of Fury sold for $162,500.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2023
The resourceful killer double-fisting guns and nunchaku amid antique samurai weapons encased in glass.
—Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2023
In one episode, Tray’s son, Shazad (Dante Hoagland), gets in trouble for bringing nunchaku to school.
—Michael Ordona, latimes.com, 30 May 2018
The suspect's 42-year-old son was arrested for disorderly conduct while intoxicate and obstructing official business; the latter arose from his hiding a pair of nunchaku, a martial arts weapon, he had been seen holding, police said.
—Bruce Geiselman, cleveland.com, 14 Oct. 2017
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Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Check out Kwong’s demo reel circa 2009 here: Kwong also was an accomplished martial artist, working in Northern Shaolin kung fu, Chinese kata and with weapons including swords, staffs, spears and nunchaku.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Minolta created modular cameras that could be decoupled, the optics tethered to the LCD body with a cord, like photographic nunchaku.
—Ars Technica, 29 Nov. 2024
Most notably, an animatronic model of E.T.’s head realized $635,000, the robot from Lost In Space achieved $455,000, and Bruce Lee’s nunchaku from Fist of Fury sold for $162,500.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2023
The resourceful killer double-fisting guns and nunchaku amid antique samurai weapons encased in glass.
—Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2023
In one episode, Tray’s son, Shazad (Dante Hoagland), gets in trouble for bringing nunchaku to school.
—Michael Ordona, latimes.com, 30 May 2018
The suspect's 42-year-old son was arrested for disorderly conduct while intoxicate and obstructing official business; the latter arose from his hiding a pair of nunchaku, a martial arts weapon, he had been seen holding, police said.
—Bruce Geiselman, cleveland.com, 14 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Nunchaku.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nunchaku. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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