boxing

¹ American  

[bok-sing] / ˈbɒk sɪŋ /

noun

1. the material used to make boxes or casings.

2. a boxlike enclosure; casing.

3. an act or instance of putting into or furnishing with a box.

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boxing ² American  

[bok-sing] / ˈbɒk sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act, technique, or profession of fighting with the fists, with or without boxing gloves.

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boxing British  

/ ˈbɒksɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the act, art, or profession of fighting with the fists, esp the modern sport practised under Queensberry rules

   2. ( as modifier )

      a boxing enthusiast

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Etymology

Origin of boxing¹

First recorded in 1510–20; box ¹ + -ing ¹

Origin of boxing²

First recorded in 1705–15; box ² + -ing ¹

Explanation

Boxing is a sport that involves strategically punching an opponent while defending yourself from their return punches. Some amateurs practice boxing as a way to stay in shape. If you go to a boxing match, you'll see two fighters in a ring surrounded by thick ropes. They wear protective helmets and thick, padded gloves, and their fight is monitored by a referee. Rules of boxing include not hitting below the waist, from behind, or when an opponent is on the ground. The objective, however, is to knock the other person out or hit them so hard that they can't get up within ten seconds.

Example Sentences

The energy could not be more different from a boxing weigh-in.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

A former world kickboxing champion who came to the Palisades from the Florida Panhandle in 1982, Blanck has sparred with boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard and trained actors Tom Hanks and Steve Guttenberg.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Like every era in boxing, there becomes a change in the guard and 2026 may the year for it in British heavyweight boxing.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Whatever happens, we have these two guys who could be carrying British boxing for the foreseeable, then later this year we've got AJ and Fury finally getting it on.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

I already finished wiping down the tables, sweeping the floor, taking out the trash and recycling, restocking the self-serve station, and boxing up the leftover muffins and scones to take home for breakfast.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner