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Synonyms

kendo

American  
[ken-doh] / ˈkɛn doʊ /

noun

  1. a Japanese form of fencing using bamboo staves, with the contestants wearing head guards and protective garments.


kendo British  
/ ˈkɛndəʊ /

noun

  1. the Japanese art of fencing with pliable bamboo staves or, sometimes, real swords: strict conventions are observed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of kendo

1920–25; < Japanese kendō, from Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese jiàn “sword” + dào “way”; cf. Bushido, judo, Tao

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Classes included economics and English, as well as meditation, calligraphy and kendo, a martial art.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

"Government agencies for sport and tourism are seeking to promote 'martial arts tourism', not only sumo, but also kendo and karate," he said.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

She eventually became a Zen priest herself, and continues to live at the temple today, where she trains in a particularly rigorous form of Japanese swordsmanship called kendo.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2024

One selection includes field recordings of a kendo dojo, call-and-response shouting muffled in synthesizer clouds; most suggest something disturbing, half-audible in the next room.

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2023

His father said that if he was to learn kendo more would be expected of him than of the average person.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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