bullfight

American  

[bool-fahyt] / ˈbʊlˌfaɪt /

noun

1. a traditional Spanish, Portuguese, or Latin American spectacle in which a bull is fought by a matador, assisted by banderilleros and picadors, in a prescribed way in an arena and is usually killed.

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bullfight British  

/ ˈbʊlˌfaɪt /

noun

1. a traditional Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American spectacle in which a matador, assisted by banderilleros and mounted picadors, baits and usually kills a bull in an arena

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Other Word Forms

• bullfighter noun
• bullfighting noun

Etymology

Origin of bullfight

First recorded in 1745–55; bull ¹ + fight

Example Sentences

Jake and his friends stayed at the Hotel Montoya, a fictional stand-in for the long-gone Hotel Quintana, where Juanito Quintana, Hemingway’s friend and fellow bullfight aficionado, once welcomed the lost generation.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2025

There was a parade, a bullfight, several Catholic Masses — and ample opportunity to share the food, language and culture of a quietly powerful community tucked into California’s farmlands.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2024

Despite an an uptick after the Covid pandemic, notably driven by younger people, Spanish culture ministry statistics show that just under 2% of the population went to a bullfight in the 2021-2022 season.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2024

The justices did not explain their arguments for overturning the ban, but bullfight organizers claimed it violated their right to continue the tradition.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2023

Chet released from his trumpet the opening, lifting, barbaric call of a bullfight, and the circle of boys broke wildly over Brinker.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles