noun
shogun
SHOH-guhn
Shogun (noun) means the top military ruler of feudal Japan, who governed in the emperor's name. Example: “The shogun held real power in Japan for centuries, while the emperor remained a figurehead.”
noun
1
The top military ruler of feudal Japan, who governed in the emperor's name.
"The shogun held real power in Japan for centuries, while the emperor remained a figurehead."
How to use shogun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe military ruler who actually governed Japan under the emperor's nominal authority.
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Word forms
- Plural
- shoguns
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The _____ held real power in Japan for centuries, while the emperor remained a figurehead.
Etymology
From Japanese 将軍 (shōgun), short for a longer title meaning roughly "great general who subdues barbarians."
Frequently asked questions
What does “shogun” mean?
The word “shogun” means the top military ruler of feudal Japan, who governed in the emperor's name. In plain terms, the military ruler who actually governed Japan under the emperor's nominal authority.
How do you pronounce “shogun”?
“Shogun” is pronounced SHOH-guhn (/ˈʃəʊɡʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “shogun” in a sentence?
Here is “shogun” used in a sentence: “The shogun held real power in Japan for centuries, while the emperor remained a figurehead.”
What part of speech is “shogun”?
“Shogun” is a noun.
Where does the word “shogun” come from?
The word “shogun” comes from Japanese. From Japanese 将軍 (shōgun), short for a longer title meaning roughly "great general who subdues barbarians.".
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