English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
name Uncommon

Nissan

NIH-san
Quiz me More like this

Nissan (name) means a major Japanese automobile manufacturer. Example: “Nissan unveiled its newest electric model at the auto show.”

name
1
A major Japanese automobile manufacturer.
"Nissan unveiled its newest electric model at the auto show."
"The Bluebird dispute is being watched closely in Europe and overseas because the 2,000-employee Nissan plant at Sunderland, England, near Newcastle, represents the largest direct investment by the Japanese in Europe." — Steven Greenhouse, English-Made Nissans at Center of Trade Fight (1988)
noun
1
A car made by the Nissan company.
"He's been driving the same reliable Nissan for over a decade."
"A Jaguar and two Nissans battled into the early morning hours in the closely contested Daytona 24 Hours, with a group of Porsches still within reach of the leaders." — Associated Press, Jaguar in the Lead, but Nissans and Porsches Close at Daytona (1991)
"Like other Nissans, the Ariya gets the excellent ProPilot system for cruise control and part-autonomous driving – far less fiddly than the set-up of some of its competitors." — Sean O’Grady, Nissan Ariya: All-new, all-wonderful, all-electric (2022)

How to use Nissan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA well-known Japanese car brand, or a car made by it.

Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Nissan.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
Nissans
Test yourself on “Nissan” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ unveiled its newest electric model at the auto show.

Etymology

From Japanese "Nissan," a shortening of "Nihon Sangyō," literally "Japan Industries."

Origin: Japanese

nissan vehicle Nisan

Frequently asked questions

What does “Nissan” mean?
The word “Nissan” means a major Japanese automobile manufacturer. In plain terms, a well-known Japanese car brand, or a car made by it.
How do you pronounce “Nissan”?
“Nissan” is pronounced NIH-san (/ˈniːsɑːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nissan” in a sentence?
Here is “Nissan” used in a sentence: “Nissan unveiled its newest electric model at the auto show.”
What part of speech is “Nissan”?
Depending on how it is used, “Nissan” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Nissan” come from?
The word “Nissan” comes from Japanese. From Japanese "Nissan," a shortening of "Nihon Sangyō," literally "Japan Industries.".
Is “Nissan” a common word?
“Nissan” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Nissan” have?
“Nissan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a major Japanese automobile manufacturer.
Is Nissan a Japanese or American car company?
Nissan is a major Japanese automobile manufacturer. Cars made by the company are commonly referred to simply as a Nissan.
What is the difference between Nissan the company and a Nissan?
Nissan refers to the major Japanese automobile manufacturer itself, while a Nissan refers to a car made by that company. The same word covers both the corporate name and the product in everyday usage.

Featured in