bandit

1 of 2

noun (1)

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits

1

plural also banditti ban-ˈdi-tē  : an outlaw who lives by plunder

especially : a member of a band of marauders

2

: robber

3

: an enemy plane

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

banditry

2 of 2

noun (2)

ban·​dit·​ry ˈban-də-trē 

plural -es

: the practice of marauding especially in semiorganized groups

juvenile banditry

civil wars and banditry are still common in Tibet

—Christopher Rand

Examples of bandit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The tree is said to have sheltered Robin Hood, the legendary 13th-century bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor and took refuge in the forest when being pursued by the sheriff of Nottingham. — ABC News, 18 June 2026

Over eons of mythmaking, the 13th century bandit Robin Hood has evolved from a scamp adored by King Henry VIII to a symbol of sticking it to the rich. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

In the movie, Furiosa is taken from her idyllic home by bandits and grows up shuttled between psychopath Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) and warlord Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026

The Death of Robin Hood is based on the English ballad Robin Hood’s Death, a poetic Middle English telling of the bandit’s final days. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from Italian bandito (earlier in English also bandetto, probably by association with the Italian diminutive suffix -etto), noun derivative of bandito "put under a ban, outlawed, exiled," from past participle of bandire "(of a government or other authority) to announce, proclaim, proscribe, outlaw," probably borrowed (directly or via Old Occitan bandir) from Gothic bandwjan "to give a sign, show, reveal," derivative of bandwo "sign, signal" — more at band entry 3

Note: See also note at banderole.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bandit

• make out like a bandit
• one-arm bandit
• one-armed bandit

Kids Definition

bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits also banditti ban-ˈdit-ē 

: a person who lives by stealing and often as a member of a band : robber, outlaw

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

Etymology

Noun

from Italian bandito, literally, "one who is banished"