sumo

American  

[soo-moh] / ˈsu moʊ /

noun

1. a form of wrestling in Japan in which a contestant wins by forcing his opponent out of the ring or by causing him to touch the ground with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet, contestants usually being men of great height and weight.

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sumo British  

/ ˈsuːməʊ /

noun

1. the national style of wrestling of Japan, the object of which is to force one's opponent to touch the ground with any part of his body except the soles of his feet or to step out of the ring

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Other Word Forms

• sumoist noun

Etymology

Origin of sumo

1895–1900; < Japanese sumō, earlier suma(f )u to wrestle

Example Sentences

Sure enough, my PB&J comes out of the bag looking like a sumo wrestler used it as a sparring partner.

From Literature

When Solomonson lost, winner Matt Scheirer made him don a sumo suit with a Dallas Cowboys jersey on top—a nightmare for the fan of the Washington Commanders.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yavhusishyn received his promotion at a special ceremony in western Fukuoka, where he bowed to sumo elders in front of gold folding screens and celebratory flowers.

From Barron's

Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn said Monday that he had surprised even himself by becoming the first from his country to win a tournament in the ancient Japanese sport.

From Barron's

A Ukrainian refugee has become the first person from his country to win an elite-level sumo tournament.

From BBC