martial art

American  

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.

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martial art British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• martial artist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of martial art

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

In San Francisco, Laura Neri has already enrolled her 4- and 7-year-old daughters in a Russian math camp or others focused on theater and Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

The first time Weston broke his back it ended a promising career in the martial art for the 28-year-old, but bizarrely it turned out to be a blessing.

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

A sixth-degree black belt, Norton also created the Richard Norton Brazilian Jiujitsu Assn., which helped bring the martial art to various clubs and organizations across South Wales, Australia and to Norris’ United Fighting Arts Federation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2025

He meditated daily, and learned the Japanese martial art Aikido when he was in his 50s, according to a 2011 profile in The Washington Post.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2024

“Are you any good at it? That’s a tough martial art to master.”

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Related Words

• judo
• karate
• wrestling