noun
sensei
SEHN-say
noun
1
A martial arts instructor, especially in a Japanese discipline.
"The students bowed respectfully to their sensei."
2
More broadly, a teacher or mentor in a Japanese context.
"He studied calligraphy under a well-known sensei."
How to Use Sensei
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA teacher or instructor, most often used for martial arts.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
sensei plural, senseis plural
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The students bowed respectfully to their _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese sensei, "teacher," literally "born before" — someone who came earlier and thus knows more.