Meanings
Showa1
proper noun
- alternativeAlternative form of Shewa (“region of Ethiopia”).
Showa2
proper noun
- attributiveThe Japanese imperial era from 1926 to 1989, associated with the country's role in WWII and postwar economic rise.
The Meiji (enlightened rule) era of 1868-1912 is remembered as a period of western-inspired modernisation; the Showa (enlightened harmony) era, which began in 1926, is closely associated with Japan’s economic rise, but also with its role in the second world war.
2019 March 29, Justin McCurry, “Japan poised to reveal name of new imperial era as Akihito abdicates”, in The Guardian, →ISSN
Origin
- Japanese昭和
- EnglishShowa
Borrowed from Japanese 昭和 (Shōwa).
More words from Japanese
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Chinese Mandarin 昭和
- 昭和 (Zhāohé)Translations
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
APA
Showa. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Showa
MLA
“Showa.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Showa. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Showa,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Showa.
Source: Showa on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.