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ninja

noun
nin·​ja | \ ˈnin-jÉ™ How to pronounce ninja (audio) , -(ËŒ)jä\
plural ninja also ninjas

Definition of ninja

: a person trained in ancient Japanese martial arts and employed especially for espionage and assassinations
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about ninja

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Did You Know?

Ninjas may seem mysterious, but the origin of their name is not. The word ninja derives from the Japanese characters "nin" and "ja." "Nin" initially meant "persevere," but over time it developed the extended meanings "conceal" and "move stealthily." In Japanese, "ja" is the combining form of sha, meaning "person." Ninjas originated in the mountains of Japan over 800 years ago as practitioners of ninjutsu, a martial art sometimes called "the art of stealth" or "the art of invisibility." They often served as military spies and were trained in disguise, concealment, geography, meteorology, medicine, and also other martial arts. Popular legends still associate them with espionage and assassinations, but modern ninjas are most likely to study ninjutsu to improve their physical fitness and self-defense skills.

Examples of ninja in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Think: part psychologist, part anthropologist, part subtext ninja. — Carolyn Hax, oregonlive.com, "Carolyn Hax: Find the subtext in friend’s constant jabs at your life choices," 23 Aug. 2019 Naruto run is a reference to anime ninja Naruto Uzumaki, who runs with body and head leaning forward while keeping his arms straight behind his back. — Los Angeles Times, "Storming Area 51 started as a joke. But it’s a mystery as to how many will show up," 22 Aug. 2019 After all, who doesn't want to look like a space ninja? — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "How my favorite designer ended up being featured in Hobbs and Shaw," 11 Aug. 2019 Instead, seek the wisdom of The Sage Owl, the company that makes a stainless steel grill scraper that looks like a ninja star and is built to last. — Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, "The 6 best new grilling gadgets to buy now," 5 Aug. 2019 Being a ninja should be reserved for teenage mutant turtles. — The Economist, "The absurd language used by job adverts," 11 July 2019 Not your average ninja, nor your average kids movie about ninjas, the Danish animated feature Checkered Ninja (Ternet Ninja) lies somewhere between a clever coming-of-age cartoon and a racy comedy more suitable for a slot on Adult Swim. — Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Checkered Ninja' ('Ternet Ninja'): Film Review | Annecy 2019," 14 June 2019 Bainbridge Township, Ohio Burglary, Kenston Lake Drive A man dressed in a ninja costume entered a woman’s home shortly before 3 a.m. June 7. — Joan Rusek, cleveland.com, "‘Ninja warrior’ apologizes for mistaken early morning visit: Bainbridge Township Police Blotter," 12 June 2019 Roxette’s cyber-avatar, a peroxide-blond ninja, is played by Pom Klementieff; Lance is an athletic karate expert played by Ludi Lin. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Black Mirror: The Weird, Intriguing Intimacy of ‘Striking Vipers’," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ninja.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ninja

1964, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ninja

Japanese, from nin- persevere, conceal, move stealthily + -ja person

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More Definitions for ninja

ninja

noun
How to pronounce ninja (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ninja

: a fighter who is trained in the Japanese martial arts

See the full definition for ninja in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ninja

noun
nin·​ja | \ ˈnin-jÉ™ How to pronounce ninja (audio) \
plural ninja also ninjas

Kids Definition of ninja

: a person trained in ancient Japanese martial arts who works as a spy and assassin especially in the past

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