boxer
noun
a person who fights as a sport, usually with gloved fists, according to set rules; prize-fighter; pugilist.
boxer
1 American
[bok-ser]
/ ˈbɒk sər /
noun
-
boxers
plural
-
a person who fights as a sport, usually with gloved fists, according to set rules; prize-fighter; pugilist.
-
one of a German breed of medium-sized, stocky, short-haired, pug-faced dogs having a brindled or tan coat with white markings.
-
a person or thing that packs items into boxes.
-
boxers. boxer shorts.
Boxer
2
American
[bok-ser]
/ ˈbɒk sər /
noun
Boxer
1
British
/ ˈbɒksə /
noun
boxer
2
British
/ ˈbɒksə /
noun
-
a person who boxes, either professionally or as a hobby; pugilist
-
a medium-sized smooth-haired breed of dog with a short nose and a docked tail
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of boxer1
First recorded in 1735–45; box 2 + -er 1
Origin of Boxer2
First recorded in 1895–1900; translation of Chinese yìhé juǎn “Righteous Harmony Fist,” name of the militant policy of the yìhé tuán “Righteous Harmony Group”
Explanation
Someone taking part in a sport in which two people punch each other with big padded gloves is a boxer. If you want to be a boxer, you'll need to build your arm strength and practice fast-moving footwork. If you spend time training at a boxing gym, sparring in the ring with partners who dance around throwing jabs in your direction, you can call yourself a boxer. If your job involves putting things into cardboard boxes, you're another kind of boxer. A third meaning of this word is a smooth-coated, serious-faced breed of dog that's named for its habit of standing up and "boxing" with its paws when it plays with other dogs.
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.
See Examples For:
That time came when he was shopping around his screenplay about an underdog boxer, Rocky Balboa, who through sheer, immiserating grit enters the ring against the champion fighter Apollo Creed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
"Today the issue is survival," added the mayor, a towering former world heavyweight champion boxer who has served as Kyiv mayor since 2014.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
Their boxer, Gus, was nestled in his usual spot at the foot of their bed when a glass door shattered in their sunroom.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
The super welterweight boxer is the oldest son of two-time middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026
“What’s important is that we keep going. That’s how we survive,” Señora Oralia said, making a fist like a boxer.
From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez
Ellison also enlisted Democratic former California Sen. Barbara Boxer and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to help, both of whom are partners with Actum, people familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Boxer Daniel Teasdale was hailed as the heir to the legendary Prince Naseem Hamed, but his promise never materialised into fame, fortune and films.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
Boxer Anthony Joshua is placed at eighth with a fortune of £240 million, one place above his heavyweight rival Tyson Fury, who is ninth on £162 million.
From Barron's ● May 15, 2026
They’re called inside by bells, attached to cords running out the windows, labeled the Maid, the Ballerina, the Boxer, the Doctor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 2025
A Boxer is a hardworking person, and a Molly would be the opposite.
From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers
Dylan and other boxers tell BBC Newsbeat they blame a lack of safe activities and opportunities for young people in the area.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
Among the regular participants are active-duty firefighters, lifeguards, professional boxers, National Guard personnel, yoga teachers and locals just looking for a fun way to get their cardio in.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
The team manager for the Ugandan Commonwealth Games team has told BBC Scotland News he has no idea why four boxers with the team have vanished.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
The 26th president, Teddy Roosevelt, regularly invited professional boxers, military aides and guests to the executive mansion to spar, at least until he suffered a detached retina.
From Salon ● Jun. 19, 2026
Jerry and the other boxers felt that Skipper was not paying enough attention to the club.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
