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.
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
First recorded in 1735–45; box 2 + -er 1
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”
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.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As the stock market alternatively displays the grace of a boxer and the oafishness of a drunkard, investors are once more confronting that which they fear most: volatility.
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
He and his brother Stephen, who is also a boxer, met Lamar while he was boxing at the same gym they were training at.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
He is considered the richest boxer of all time, with roughly $1.1 billion in career earnings and an estimated net worth of $400 million.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
Could a Greco-Roman wrestler take down a boxer?
From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2026
My brother Philbert, who had already become a pretty good boxer in school, was no exception.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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
In 2015, Barbara Boxer said she would step down once she finished her fourth term in the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026
Boxer Fabio Wardley posted "don't worry I'll keep it safe" with a video of the toupee on the seat beside him, while Skye Nicolson, external also posed with it on her head.
From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2026
Boxer Jake Paul founded a line of shower and deodorant products called W in 2024, taking on big legacy brands.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 27, 2025
There lay Boxer, between the shafts of the cart, his neck stretched out, unable even to raise his head.
From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell
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
We have a team motto that we’re like boxers.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
You can also wear the Whoop sensor in the company’s specially designed boxers, bras and other apparel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
The brawl has been likened to two heavyweight boxers heading into the ring.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
Grandpa Sorenson shuffled into the kitchen wearing boxers, socks, and an undershirt stained with brown mustard.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
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.
