Greco-Roman

American  

[gree-koh-roh-muhn, grek-oh-] / ˌgri koʊˈroʊ mən, ˌgrɛk oʊ- /

especially British, Graeco-Roman

adjective

1. of or having both Greek and Roman characteristics.

   the Greco-Roman influence.

2. pertaining to or designating a style of the fine arts developed in Rome or the Roman Empire from the middle of the 1st century b.c. to the early 4th century a.d., chiefly characterized by an apparent indebtedness to Greek forms or motifs modified by technological innovation, monumental scale, the combination of symbolic with narrative treatment of subject matter, and an emphasis on the commemorative aspect of a work of art.

---

noun

1. a style of wrestling in which the contestants are forbidden to trip, tackle, and use holds below the waist.

Example Sentences

In later ages of Greco-Roman antiquity, we hear of numerous men, and even some women, who followed the path of the dog.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

"This research teaches us about magic rituals in the Greco-Roman period in Egypt," Van Oppen said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2024

Kesho was beaten by Azerbaijan's Hasrat Jafarov in the first round of the men's 67kg Greco-Roman wrestling on Wednesday.

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2024

Forty-four-year-old Aliaksandr Kikiniou advanced to the 77-kilogram finals in the Greco-Roman bracket by beating Benji Peak in the semifinals.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2024

His special distinction as a speaker was not to deliver the full- bore, self-consciously Greco-Roman ornamentation of his predecessors.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith