joust

[ joust, juhst, joost ]

See synonyms for: joust jousted jousting jousts on Thesaurus.com

noun

a combat in which two knights on horseback attempted to unhorse each other with blunted lances.
this type of combat fought in a highly formalized manner as part of a tournament.

jousts, a tournament.
a personal competition or struggle.

verb (used without object)

to contend in a joust or tournament.
to contend, compete, or struggle: The candidates will joust in a television debate.

Origin of joust

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English justen, jousten<Old French juster, joster, jouster to tilt in the lists <Vulgar Latin *juxtāre to approach, clash, derivative of Latin juxtā approaching, bordering; (noun) Middle English juste, jouste<Old French juste, etc., derivative of juster

Also just.

Other words from joust

jouster, noun

Words Nearby joust

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use joust in a sentence

There was the early lead-blocking of Grant Williams — a play that resulted in Williams getting dinged with a personal foul — and the elbow joust shortly thereafter that earned Green a technical.
The Warriors’ Defense Is Impossible To Overlook | Robert O'Connell | June 8, 2022 | FiveThirtyEight
They begin with a joust where Gautier pierces Bernier with his lance between his ribs.
The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat | Steven Isaac | June 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
That process could be fraught, as palace rivals and pretenders joust for position.
Bad News for Hugo Chávez—and, Possibly, Venezuela | Mac Margolis | December 9, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Therefore, said the strong knight, I will joust with thee, for I hate all these that be of Arthur's court.
Le Morte D'Arthur, Volume II (of II) | Thomas Malory
And these two knights met with Sir Tristram and questioned with him, and asked him if he would joust with them.
Le Morte D'Arthur, Volume II (of II) | Thomas Malory

Then saw they a knight on horseback well armed, brandishing a spear, crying and proffering himself to joust.
Le Morte D'Arthur, Volume II (of II) | Thomas Malory
And if ye think that I be weary, and ye have an appetite to joust with me, I shall find you jousting enough.
Le Morte D'Arthur, Volume II (of II) | Thomas Malory
And therewithal he mounted upon his horse, and took a great spear in his hand ready for to joust.
Le Morte D'Arthur, Volume II (of II) | Thomas Malory

British Dictionary definitions for joust

joust

/ (dʒaʊst) history /

noun

a combat between two mounted knights tilting against each other with lances. A tournament consisted of a series of such engagements

verb

(intr; often foll by against or with) to encounter or engage in such a tournament: he jousted with five opponents

Origin of joust

C13: from Old French jouste, from jouster to fight on horseback, from Vulgar Latin juxtāre (unattested) to come together, from Latin juxtā close

Derived forms of joust

jouster, noun

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

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