soroban

noun

sor·​o·​ban
ˈsȯrəˌbän
plural -s
: an abacus used by the Japanese that is a modification of the Chinese suan pan

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from Chinese (Pekingese) suan4 p'an2, literally, reckoning board

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near soroban

Cite this Entry

“Soroban.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soroban. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!