bullfight

[ bool-fahyt ]

noun

1. a traditional Spanish, Portuguese, or Latin American spectacle in which a bull is fought fought by a matador, assisted by banderilleros and picadors, in a prescribed way in an arena and is usually killed.

bullfight

/ ˈbʊlˌfaɪt /

noun

1. a traditional Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American spectacle in which a matador, assisted by banderilleros and mounted picadors, baits and usually kills a bull in an arena

Derived Forms

• ˈbullˌfighting, noun
• ˈbullˌfighter, noun

Other Words From

• bullfighting noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullfight¹

First recorded in 1745–55; bull ¹ + fight

Example Sentences

There was a parade, a bullfight, several Catholic Masses — and ample opportunity to share the food, language and culture of a quietly powerful community tucked into California’s farmlands.

From Los Angeles Times

“You go back to my grandparents, they were all Democrats. Now my father’s generation is mixed but way more Republican. And now mine is Republican,” said George Martins Jr., 35, a bullfight captain and frequent attendee at the Central Valley festas.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 40,000 people flocked to the first bullfight to be held in the city's bullring, the world's largest, since the ban was overturned.

From BBC

Despite an an uptick after the Covid pandemic, notably driven by younger people, Spanish culture ministry statistics show that just under 2% of the population went to a bullfight in the 2021-2022 season.

From BBC

Her supporters for the Carnival of Papantla held a bullfight to help her win votes and to collect money for a new kindergarten where she would teach.

From Los Angeles Times