Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Japanese /jăpˌ-ən-ēz'/ · Jap·a·nese · IPA /ˌdʒæp.əˈniːz/ a. n. sing. & pl. 01 a. Of or pertaining to Japan, or its inhabitants. 1. Of or pertaining to Japan, or its inhabitants. 02 n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Japan; collectively, the people of Japan. 1. A native or inhabitant of Japan; collectively, the people of Japan. 2. The language of the people of Japan, called in the Japanese language nihongo.