A samurai was a warrior who served a lord or a clan and lived according to a strict code of loyalty, duty, and honor.

They belonged to an organized social and military system, usually serving under a daimyo.

A ronin, on the other hand, was a samurai without a master.

They could become a ronin after his lord died, was defeated, or dismissed him. Without a master or clan to serve, the ronin often wandered from place to place, working as a mercenary, bodyguard, swordsman, or simply living independently.