KAMIKAZE Definition & Meaning

kamikaze

[kah-mi-kah-zee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

(during World War II) a member of a special corps in the Japanese air force charged with the suicidal mission of crashing an aircraft laden with explosives into an enemy target, especially a warship.
an airplane used for this purpose.
a person or thing that behaves in a wildly reckless or destructive manner.
We were nearly run down by a kamikaze on a motorcycle.

adjective

of, pertaining to, undertaken by, or characteristic of a kamikaze.
a kamikaze pilot; a kamikaze attack.

kamikaze

/ ˌ��æ��ɪˈ��ɑː��ɪ /

noun

(in World War II) one of a group of Japanese pilots who performed suicidal missions by crashing their aircraft, loaded with explosives, into an enemy target, esp a ship
an aircraft used for such a mission
(modifier) (of an action) undertaken or (of a person) undertaking an action in the knowledge that it will result in the death of the person performing it in order that maximum damage may be inflicted on an enemy
a kamikaze attack
a kamikaze bomber
(modifier) extremely foolhardy and possibly self-defeating
kamikaze pricing

kamikaze

Japanese fighter pilots in World War II, trained to make suicide crashes into Allied ships.

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of kamikaze¹

1940–45; < Japanese, equivalent to kami ( y ) god (earlier *kamui ) + kaze wind (earlier *kanzai

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of kamikaze¹

C20: from Japanese, from kami divine + kaze wind, referring to the winds that, according to Japanese tradition, destroyed a Mongol invasion fleet in 1281

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Saltnes, who previously described their style of play as "kamikaze", said: "I don't think it would be possible to play like that without Bjorn and the mental work we do."

From

He also attended a Japanese military school that trained kamikaze fighter pilots, where he was bullied for being Korean.

From

In some cases, offenders are openly clearing shelves of items in full view of customers and shop workers - a tactic sometimes known as "kamikaze" shoplifting.

From

Tom's combination with fellow flanker Sam Underhill was a revelation during the tournament and resulted in Jones nicknaming the pair the "kamikaze kids".

From

Long before insurgents in the Middle East began deliberately blowing themselves up, the Japanese used kamikaze pilots in World War II, perhaps the first suicide bombers.

From

kamik Kamilaroi

Browse