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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• sumoist noun

Etymology

Origin of sumo

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

Example Sentences

The men dressed up incongruously as samurai warriors, and Riley arranged for the sumo world champion to be there, all 350 pounds of him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Yavhusishyn is keen for people from all around the world to experience watching sumo and understand its attraction.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

Danylo Yavhusishyn fled the war in Ukraine to become a sumo wrestler in Japan and his rapid rise has taken him to one step away from reaching the ancient sport's highest rank.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

The last time sumo wrestlers travelled to France was in 1995, when such tours were common, but they have become something of a rarity in recent years.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Several years ago, two former sumo wrestlers came forward with extensive allegations of match rigging—and more.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt