Japanese tea ceremonyn. A traditional Japanese ritual in which matcha is whisked into a froth with hot water in a bowl and the resulting beverage is then shared by the participants. Also called chanoyu.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.