martial art

noun

1. Often martial arts. any of the traditional forms of Asian self-defense or combat that utilize physical skill and coordination without weapons, as karate, aikido, judo, or kung fu, often practiced as sport.

martial art

noun

1. any of various philosophies of self-defence and techniques of single combat, such as judo or karate, originating in the Far East

Other Words From

• martial artist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of martial art¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Will Stone, the MP for Swindon North, has practised the martial art for 17 years and is also a black belt in judo.

From BBC

In Burkina Faso, we found reports about a football competition where the Russian national anthem was played, “friendship lessons” in schools where students are taught about Russia, a competition of the Soviet martial art “sambo”, first aid workshops for citizens and policemen, and a graffiti festival where participants drew Russian President Vladimir Putin alongside Burkina Faso’s former leader Thomas Sankara, all sponsored by African Initiative.

From BBC

It’s a traditional Japanese martial art form that is pretty intense and aggressive.

From Los Angeles Times

She had initially tried shoot boxing, turning to the Japanese martial art that mixes wrestling and kickboxing as a way to protect herself as she worked alongside her father, selling groceries from his cart in the streets of the capital Kabul.

From BBC

It’s a traditional Japanese martial art form that is pretty intense and aggressive.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• judo
• karate
• wrestling