gladiator
Americannoun
-
(in ancient Rome) a person, often a slave or captive, who was armed with a sword or other weapon and compelled to fight to the death in a public arena against another person or a wild animal, for the entertainment of the spectators.
-
a person who engages in a fight or controversy.
-
a prizefighter.
noun
-
(in ancient Rome and Etruria) a man trained to fight in arenas to provide entertainment
-
a person who supports and fights publicly for a cause
Etymology
Origin of gladiator
1535–45; < Latin gladiātor, equivalent to gladi ( us ) sword + -ātor -ator
Explanation
In ancient Rome, gladiators fought each other in front of an audience. Though these fights were called "games," they often ended in the death of one of the gladiators. Although they were celebrated in art and applauded for their strength and fighting skill, it wasn't easy to be an ancient Roman gladiator. They were essentially slaves who were forced to fight, sometimes being matched against wild animals or criminals. While the gladiator games may seem horrible to us today, they lasted almost a thousand years. The word gladiator comes from the Latin gladius, or "sword."
Vocabulary lists containing gladiator
Ancient Rome - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Ancient Rome - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Roman and Byzantine Empires, Lessons 3–4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
That think, as it happens, is now available in “Those Who Are About to Die,” Harry Sidebottom’s excellent study of the gladiator in the various aspects of his life.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
"You get these gladiator humans and it looks like they weren't even carrying anything," he said.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
On this week’s Amicus podcast, Dahlia Lithwick talked with election law gladiator Marc Elias, chair of Elias Law Group and founder of Democracy Docket.
From Slate • Feb. 10, 2026
Raising his house’s reputation as a formidable gladiator stable is the only path he can see to being accepted into society’s highest echelon.
From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025
He waved his hand at a painted wooden gladiator, then turned to a machine that looked like an oversized rolling pin studded with knives.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
