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• boxer
  boxer

  noun

  a person who fights as a sport, usually with gloved fists, according to set rules; prize-fighter; pugilist.
• Boxer
  Boxer

  noun

  a member of a Chinese secret society that carried on an unsuccessful uprising, 1898–1900 BoxerRebellion, principally against foreigners, culminating in a siege of foreign legations in Peking (now Beijing) that was put down by an international expeditionary force.

boxer

¹ American  

[bok-ser] / ˈbɒk sər /

noun

1. a person who fights as a sport, usually with gloved fists, according to set rules; prize-fighter; pugilist.

2. one of a German breed of medium-sized, stocky, short-haired, pug-faced dogs having a brindled or tan coat with white markings.

3. a person or thing that packs items into boxes.

4. boxers. boxer shorts.

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Boxer ² American  

[bok-ser] / ˈbɒk sər /

noun

1. a member of a Chinese secret society that carried on an unsuccessful uprising, 1898–1900 BoxerRebellion, principally against foreigners, culminating in a siege of foreign legations in Peking (now Beijing) that was put down by an international expeditionary force.

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Boxer ¹ British  

/ ˈbɒksə /

noun

1. 1. a member of a nationalistic Chinese secret society that led an unsuccessful rebellion in 1900 against foreign interests in China

   2. ( as modifier )

      the Boxer Rebellion

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boxer ² British  

/ ˈbɒksə /

noun

1. a person who boxes, either professionally or as a hobby; pugilist

2. a medium-sized smooth-haired breed of dog with a short nose and a docked tail

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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

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

Earlier this month, the San Diego-based USS Boxer and two warships from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed from Camp Pendleton to join the buildup of troops in the region.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 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

Former Sen. Barbara Boxer, numerous state and local leaders and the Democratic women’s political action committee Emily’s List are supporting von Wilpert.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2025

But the most terrifying spectacle of all was Boxer, rearing up on his hind legs and striking out with his great iron-shod hoofs like a stallion.

From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell

Related Words

• fighter
• prizefighter