pugilism
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pugilism
1785–95; < Latin pugil boxer (akin to pugnus fist, pugnāre to fight; compare Greek pýx with the fist, pygmḗ boxing) + -ism
Explanation
Pugilism is another name for the sport of boxing. If you're a fan of pugilism, you probably enjoy watching people punch each other while wearing boxing gloves. If you're thinking about taking up a new sport and a friend suggests pugilism, she's talking about boxing. If you take up pugilism, you'll learn the footwork to use in a ring, and how to hold your gloves to protect your body and punch your opponent. Pugilism comes from the Latin word pugil, "boxer or fist fighter," a close relative of pugnus, "fist."
Vocabulary lists containing pugilism
Booked
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 31
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Kaffir Boy
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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.
After experimenting with mixed martial arts twice - winning two and losing one - Shields has made clear her intention to stick to pugilism for the rest of her career.
From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026
But Flint, Mich., native Claressa Shields, for whom pugilism was a passion, entered the ring early: As a teenage phenom, she punched her way to record-setting, Olympic-gold levels.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2024
Kraken winger Jordan Eberle, a former Islanders player not exactly known for pugilism, immediately went at Pulock and the two locked arms for several seconds staring and jawing at one another.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024
You can understand why Peterson sees light in the dark world of pugilism.
From Washington Times • May 25, 2022
I began bombarding the boy with questions concerning pugilism: it seemed so different from the way we fought in the street—it was cleaner.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
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.
