noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
elderly person; old person; senior citizen
Everyday word for an old or elderly person, but it can sound blunt or insensitive when used directly about someone; お年寄り or 高齢者 is often safer in polite or formal contexts.
この坂は年寄りには少しきつい。
This slope is a little hard for elderly people.
祖父は年寄り扱いされるのを嫌がる。
My grandfather dislikes being treated like an old person.
noun
sumo elder; trustee of the Japan Sumo Association
Sumo-specific title for a retired high-ranking wrestler who has the required elder stock and can coach or hold an official post in the Japan Sumo Association.
引退後、彼は年寄として相撲部屋の若い力士を指導した。
After retiring, he coached young wrestlers at a sumo stable as a sumo elder.
noun
senior statesman of the Tokugawa shogunate
Historical administrative term; in this sense it refers to a high-ranking shogunate official, not simply to an elderly person.
史料では、幕府の重臣を年寄と呼ぶ例がある。
In historical sources, there are examples of high-ranking shogunate officials being called 年寄.
noun
important local official under the Tokugawa shogunate
Historical local-government term from the Tokugawa period; often comparable to a village or town elder involved in administration.
村の年寄は名主を補佐し、村政に関わった。
The village elders assisted the headman and took part in village administration.