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.

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kendo British  

/ ˈkɛndəʊ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• kendoist noun

Etymology

Origin of kendo

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

Example Sentences

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

“Ken” means sword, and “do” means way, so kendo is the way of the sword.

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

Kabuo’s training at kendo had begun when he was seven.

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

Related Words

• judo
• karate
• wrestling