sumo

[soo-moh]

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.

sumo

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• sumoist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sumo¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sumo¹

from Japanese sumō

Example Sentences

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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on Barron's

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

Read more on BBC

Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn on Sunday became the first from his nation to win a tournament of the traditional Japanese sport.

Read more on Barron's

The genre of Japanese prints called ukiyo-e, meaning “images of the floating world,” first arose in the 17th century and was often distinguished by city scenes, sumo wrestlers and geishas.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal