Wagyu
noun
Wa·gyu
ˈwä-(ˌ)gyü 
variants
or less commonly wagyu
plural Wagyu also wagyu
1
: any of four strains of a breed of black or red Japanese cattle valued for their highly marbled meat
In the U.S., Japanese Wagyu cows have been crossbred with those of other breeds to produce unsurpassably tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef.—
Saveur
SaveurNote: Wagyu were developed in Japan in the late 1800s to 1910 by crossbreeding native cattle with European breeds.
2
or Wagyu beef
or less commonly wagyu beef
: beef from Wagyu cattle
The surface of my Wagyu was intricately laced with delicate veins of off-white fat—by laboratory measurement, three times more marbling fat than U.S. prime-grade beef, though with slightly less cholesterol.—Jeffrey Steingarten
Jeffrey SteingartenWagyu beef is tender and flavorful because of its intramuscular fat, or marbling.—Sam Gugino
compare kobe beef
Sam GuginoExamples of Wagyu in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Australian Wagyu tomahawk steak presented in the elaborate briefcase.
—Karen Fratti, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Choose from an a la carte menu filled with seasonal flavors, such as Wagyu Beef Tartare, Salade Niçoise, and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops, or go for a four-course chef’s tasting menu.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025
Bringing Wagyu Into Your Kitchen One of the easiest ways to enjoy high-quality Wagyu at home is by sourcing directly from ranchers or specialty meat suppliers.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Local favorites include the Kinoko Nabe, a deeply savory mushroom dish with layers of umami and the Wagyu Carpaccio, where rich, marbled beef meets just the right amount of heat and acidity.
—Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
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Karen Fratti, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Choose from an a la carte menu filled with seasonal flavors, such as Wagyu Beef Tartare, Salade Niçoise, and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops, or go for a four-course chef’s tasting menu.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025
Bringing Wagyu Into Your Kitchen One of the easiest ways to enjoy high-quality Wagyu at home is by sourcing directly from ranchers or specialty meat suppliers.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Local favorites include the Kinoko Nabe, a deeply savory mushroom dish with layers of umami and the Wagyu Carpaccio, where rich, marbled beef meets just the right amount of heat and acidity.
—Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Wagyu
Cite this Entry
“Wagyu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Wagyu. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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