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

Once sworn in, Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter with a fiery personality, will oversee the nation's immigration enforcement, border protection and airport security.

From BBC

The Los Angeles Police Department wasn’t hiring, so he worked as a file clerk at Northrop Aircraft temporarily and eventually began opening training schools for martial arts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Last week, the star posted a martial arts video on Instagram in which he hit a sparring partner with a combo before saying to the camera, “I don’t age, I level up.”

From Los Angeles Times

Norris was known for his roles in the action crime series Walker, Texas Ranger and also the martial arts film The Way Of The Dragon - fighting superstar Bruce Lee.

From BBC

The martial arts expert turned actor has starred in a slew of action films since his acting debut with a cameo in a 1968 Dean Martin film "The Wrecking Crew."

From Barron's

Related Words

• judo
• karate
• wrestling