kana

noun

ka·na ˈkä-nə

plural kana

often attributive

: a Japanese system of syllabic writing having characters that can be used exclusively for writing foreign words or in combination with kanji (as for indicating pronunciations or grammatical inflections)

also : a single character belonging to the kana system compare hiragana, katakana

Examples of kana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The NEAC 2203, released in 1960 by NEC, could handle Roman characters and Japanese kana. —

Laura Moorhead, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2007

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kana.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of kana was in 1727

See more words from the same year

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Style

“Kana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kana. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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kana

noun

Examples of kana in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near kana

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