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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

During fight week, Fabio Wardley even joked that if Dubois was not a boxer, he would be a "bin man".

From BBC • May 10, 2026

Some big names expected at the event are venture capitalist Tim Draper, motivational speaker Tony Robbins, boxer Mike Tyson and fund manager Cathie Wood.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

The ballots were sent in the name of her dog, Maya Jean Yourex, a boxer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali and a professional boxer in his own right, also railed against the reforms.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

We all had a glass while Arnold explained how he wanted to set up my account with Mom and Dad, and Grandma asked if Arnold could find her a boxer to sponsor too.

From "Lawn Boy" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• fighter
• prizefighter