martial art

American  

noun

martial arts plural

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

Derived Forms

• martial artist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• martial arts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of martial art

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

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

Classes included economics and English, as well as meditation, calligraphy and kendo, a martial art.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

"Ginga me," Amaarae sings repeatedly over a throbbing electro groove – referencing the fluid, hip-swaying movements of the Brazilian martial art Capoeira.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

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

“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