Sparta

American  

[spahr-tuh] / ˈspɑr tə /

noun

1. an ancient city in S Greece: the capital of Laconia and the chief city of the Peloponnesus, at one time the dominant city of Greece: famous for strict discipline and training of soldiers.

---

Sparta British  

/ ˈspɑːtə /

noun

1. an ancient Greek city in the S Peloponnese, famous for the discipline and military prowess of its citizens and for their austere way of life

---

Sparta Cultural  

1. An ancient Greek city-state and rival of Athens (see also Athens). Sparta was known for its militaristic government and for its educational system designed to train children to be devoted citizens and brave soldiers. Sparta defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian War.

---

Discover More

The term Spartan is used to describe conditions that are low on luxury and designed to produce discipline.

Example Sentences

He also owns leading Czech football club Sparta Prague, is the largest shareholder in supermarket chain Sainsbury's and, since April 2025, Royal Mail.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

When the Middle East disruptions hit, jet-fuel cracks — the profits a refiner makes by refining crude into jet fuel — spiked sharply, said Nikolas Plonski, oil market analyst at Sparta Commodities.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

Sparta needed allies to fill out its battle array, so it installed subservient leaders throughout the Peloponnese, their allies in the war against Athens.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

That makes complete self-sufficiency -- an idea Netanyahu previously invoked when he said Israel should become more like "Sparta" -- unrealistic for now.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

They drew rein in Sparta before the lordly dwelling, a house far more splendid than either young man had ever seen.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton