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arm wrestling

American  
Or arm-wrestling

noun

  1. a form of wrestling in which two opponents, usually facing each other across a table, rest their right or left elbows on the table and, placing their corresponding forearms upward and parallel, grip each other's hand, the object being to force the opponent's hand down so that it touches the table.


arm wrestling British  

noun

  1. a contest in which two people sit facing each other each with one elbow resting on a table, clasp hands, and each tries to force the other's arm flat onto the table while keeping his own elbow touching the table

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Organisers of the event say the sport, founded in a pub in the 1970s, is "like arm wrestling, but with feet".

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2024

Lira, however, denied there was "constant confrontation" with the president: "There is no arm wrestling between Lula and Lira ... but Congress is conservative and some topics are difficult to pass," he said.

From Reuters • Jun. 5, 2023

His many previous P.A. assignments included announcing Jack Russell terrier racing, billiards, arm wrestling and Arena League football.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2022

“Once you’re arm wrestling a person for a cake in front of a child, things have gone off course very demonstrably.”

From Slate • Aug. 6, 2020

Two sets of jocks were arm wrestling at the kitchen table.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz