aikido

American  

[ahy-kee-doh, ahy-kee-daw] / aɪˈki doʊ, ˈaɪ kiˌdɔ /

noun

1. a Japanese form of self-defense utilizing wrist, joint, and elbow grips to immobilize or throw one's opponent.

---

aikido British  

/ ˈaɪkɪdəʊ /

noun

1. a Japanese system of self-defence employing similar principles to judo, but including blows from the hands and feet

---

Etymology

Origin of aikido

1960–65; < Japanese aikidō, equivalent to ai to coordinate + ki breath control + dō way (< Middle Chinese; see judo)

Example Sentences

“Trying to make OpenClaw fully safe to use is a lost cause,” said security start-up Aikido in a February blog post.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Aikido teaches students to harmonize with the energy of an antagonist, to meet the threat and neutralize by redirecting as opposed to avoiding it altogether.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2018

All good, and Aikido, Judo, or Jiu Jitsu training might help if you began in your 20s or 30s and kept up your basics.

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2018

Steven Seagal says he went to Japan to train with Aikido founder Morihei Uyeshiba. who died in 1969 while Steven Seagal was taking classes at Cal-State Fullerton.

From Golf Digest • Sep. 27, 2017

However, he went on to explain that Morgan’s delayed introduction allowed the writers to include his backstory with Eastman — who taught him the peaceful art of Aikido.

From Time • Aug. 18, 2016

Related Words

• judo
• karate
• wrestling