duel

American  

[doo-uhl, dyoo-] / ˈdu əl, ˈdyu- /

noun

1. a prearranged combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons according to an accepted code of procedure, especially to settle a private quarrel.

2. any contest between two persons or parties.

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verb (used with or without object)

dueled, dueling, duelled, duelling

1. to fight in a duel.

duel British  

/ ˈdjuːəl /

noun

1. a prearranged combat with deadly weapons between two people following a formal procedure in the presence of seconds and traditionally fought until one party was wounded or killed, usually to settle a quarrel involving a point of honour

2. a contest or conflict between two persons or parties

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verb

1. to fight in a duel

2. to contest closely

Other Word Forms

• duelistic adjective
• dueller noun
• outduel verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of duel

1585–95; earlier duell < Medieval Latin duellum, Latin: earlier form of bellum war, probably maintained and given sense “duel” by association with Latin duo two

Example Sentences

Trout almost ended the pitchers’ duel in the bottom of the sixth inning after sharply hitting a fly ball to left field but Arozarena tracked it down.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Courtois launched long, Valverde won the duel with Nico O'Reilly, drove into the area and finished.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Two top City Section baseball teams, El Camino Real and San Fernando, faced off Friday in a pitcher’s duel that went eight innings.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

To see why that is, watch her duet and duel with Carpenter in “The Muppet Show” revival.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

At one o’clock in the morning, a square-jawed private arrived at the barracks, roused Captain Babushkinov, and informed him that the furious general had challenged him to a duel.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• bout
• shootout