| Term | Kanji | Description |
| Sagasu Uke | 探す受け | Searching Block |
| Sai | 釵 | A type of trident popular in Asia, middle prong is longest. aka Tekpi |
| Sakugawa Kanga | 佐久川寛賀 | Bojutsu expert, aka Teruya Kanga (1786-1867) |
| Sakugawa Kangi | 佐久川寛喜 | Early bojutsu pioneer, aka Teruya Kangi (1733-1815) |
| Sanchin | 三戦 | Kata: Three Battles |
| Sanseiru | 三十六 | Kata: Thirty Six. Several versions exist. |
| Sanzan | 三山 | Three Kingdoms of Okinawa, Nanzan 南山, Chuzan 中山, Hokuzan 北山 |
| Seifuku | 制服 | Uniform |
| Seisan | 十三 | Kata: Thirteen: Sometimes seen as 十三手 |
| Seiyonchin | 刺引戦 | Kata: Pull into Battle. Ch. 随運勁. Fujian: 青鷹戦 |
| Shikina-en | 識名園 | Shuri Royal Gardens - UNESCO Site |
| Shiko Dachi | 四股立ち | Square Stance (Four Point Stance) |
| Shimabuku Tatsuo | 島袋龍夫 | Founder of Isshinryu (一心流) Karate (1908-1975) |
| Shimabukuro Taro | 島袋善良 | Famous karate teacher - had 28 teachers (1905-1980) |
| Shizen Dachi | 自然立ち | Natural Stance (Short front Stance) |
| Shoreikan | 尚禮舘 | School of Politeness and Respect. Founded by Toguchi S. (尚礼舘) |
| Shotei Uchi | 底掌打ち | Palm Strike |
| Shotei Uke | 底掌受け | Palm Block |
| Shoto Uke | 手刀受け | Hand Blade/Edge Block (Knife Hand / Sword Hand Block) |
| Shotokan ryu | 松濤館流 | House of Shoto Style - Founded by Funakoshi Gichin in 1938 |
| Sochin | 向戰 | Kata: Direction of Battle |
| Soji | 掃除 | Clean up. Cleaning a school or dojo. |
| Sokuto Geri | 足刀蹴り | Edge of the Foot Kick (typically downward angle) |
| Sote Uchi | 槍手打ち | Spearhand Strike |
| Soto Uke | 外受け | Outside Block |
| Sukunaihayashi ryu | 少林流 | Small Forest (Sukunaihayashi) style - Attributed to Kyan Chotoku |
| Sunadokei Dachi | 砂時計立ち | Hourglass Stance - AKA Sanchin Dachi (三戦立ち) |
| Sune Geri | 脛蹴り | Shin Kick |
| Suzumu Undo | 涼む運動 | Cooling down exercises |
