martial art

noun

1. Often martial arts any of the traditional forms of Asian self-defense or combat that utilize physical skill and coordination without weapons, as karate, aikido, judo, or kung fu, often practiced as sport.

martial art

noun

1. any of various philosophies of self-defence and techniques of single combat, such as judo or karate, originating in the Far East

Other Word Forms

• martial artist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of martial art¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The two young opponents, clad in crisp white karategi with coloured belts and protective headgear, circled each other on the tatami, the floor covering used for practising Japanese martial arts.

Read more on Barron's

As the film goes on they will take on whatever super skills needed to keep things dazzling, such as martial arts or race-car driving.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Zhang has the same passion for martial arts as me, the same mindset. It's not about fame - this is what I like about her," said Shevchenko.

Read more on BBC

In a small win for California’s film and TV industry, mixed martial arts franchise Combate Global will relocate production from Miami to Burbank.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The loudest voices pushing for this rewrite aren’t boxers but the promoters of mixed martial arts, the people who made “business first, fighters last” a megasport.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• judo 
• karate 
• wrestling