rikishi
Britishnoun
Etymology
Origin of rikishi
Japanese, literally: strong man
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.
At 5-foot-11 and 310 pounds, Aonishiki isn’t the biggest fighter, or rikishi, to step onto the dohyo, nor is he the most classically trained.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026
It is here the wrestlers, known as rikishi, will perform their leg stomps to drive away evil spirits, and where they will clap to get the attention of the gods.
From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025
Officials say designer Santiago Varela had planned on removing the sumo wrestler even before riders said the life-sized rikishi might be rankling their animals.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2021
In 2017, he became the heaviest professional rikishi ever at 288kg, beating the record previously held by the Hawaii-born Konishiki, who tipped the scales at 285kg.
From The Guardian • Jun. 26, 2020
“Wrestlers who come from abroad really work hard,” she said, sitting in her kimono as two rikishi geared up for a bout in the ring behind her.
From New York Times • Jan. 26, 2013
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.
