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

This year, karate finally joins other martial arts like judo, taekwondo and wrestling at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

From FiveThirtyEight

He started playing lacrosse when he was 4, but also pursued taekwondo and mixed martial arts — a combination that only fueled his aggression.

From Washington Post

The book explores the fitness fads she’s participated in over the last six decades, including running, cycling classes and “feminist martial arts” as the author explores her fixation on fitness and how it relates to her journey of self-discovery.

From Time

He also moved into acting, appearing in three Andrzej Bartkowiak blockbusters that fused martial arts and hip-hop.

From Washington Post

Led by Lao visual anthropologist Steve Arounsack, the Trust is a group of consultants with areas of expertise ranging from music and choreography to architecture and martial arts.

From Time

Some of our kind learned to fight entirely with their feet, developing what I suppose the solbreeders call a "martial art".

From The Daily Beast

She's brilliant, beautiful, and skilled in every known martial art.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• judo
• karate
• wrestling