Used in a Sentence

koan

How to use koan in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for koan.

Editorial note

I suspect it was offered as a dark koan, not an earnest wish.

Examples8
Definitions1
Parts of speech1

Quick take

a paradoxical anecdote or a riddle that has no solution; used in Zen Buddhism to show the inadequacy of logical reasoning

Meaning at a glance

The clearest senses and uses of koan gathered in one view.

noun

a paradoxical anecdote or a riddle that has no solution; used in Zen Buddhism to show the inadequacy of logical reasoning

Definitions

Core meanings and parts of speech for koan.

noun

a paradoxical anecdote or a riddle that has no solution; used in Zen Buddhism to show the inadequacy of logical reasoning

Example sentences

1

I suspect it was offered as a dark koan, not an earnest wish.

2

]I think this is a good koan--something to provoke further thought.

3

' Like each koan would be a little puzzle where you manipulate the box model etc.

4

A favorite koan of mine: objects are a poor man's closures, but closures are a poor man's objects.

5

Very nice!Would like to see it feature a ToC so one can easily move between the koan categories.

6

I was reminded of Anton van Straaten's "koan" on closures vs. objects with venerable master Qc Na [1] ... but I digress.

7

This comment makes me want to come up with a 3D printing startup; you've practically distilled it to the koan of the "next important technology".

8

This "fuzzes" your search history,\n > making it difficult for Google [..] to gather\n > information about you.\n\nI am reminded of the classic MIT AI koan: > In the days when Sussman was a novice, Minsky once came\n > to him as he sat hacking at the PDP-6.\n > "What are you doing?

Frequently asked questions

Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.

How do you use koan in a sentence?

I suspect it was offered as a dark koan, not an earnest wish.

What does koan mean?

a paradoxical anecdote or a riddle that has no solution; used in Zen Buddhism to show the inadequacy of logical reasoning

What part of speech is koan?

koan is commonly used as noun.