Standard Lemma guide

yokozuna

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • rhymes with -uːnə

1

noun

Meaning 1

The highest rank of sumo wrestler, above ozeki; grand champion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, sumo, war, wrestling

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A person holding the rank, either competing at the rank or retired after having achieved it.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, sumo, war, wrestling

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Japanese 横綱(よこづな) (yokozuna, “wide rope”), the symbol of their rank worn about the waist.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 橫綱 /横纲 (hénggāng) — Translations
  • Japanese: 横綱 (yokozuna) — Translations
  • Mongolian: ёкозуна (jokozuna) — Translations
  • Russian: ёкодзу́на (jokodzúna) — Translations
Real reading context

yokozuna in complete knowledge articles