gladiator
noun
glad·i·a·tor
ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər 
1
: a person engaged in a fight to the death as public entertainment for ancient Romans
2
: a person engaging in a public fight or controversy
3
: a trained fighter
especially
: a professional boxer
Examples of gladiator in a Sentence
the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners
Recent Examples on the Web
Now a protector of animals and a champion of the downtrodden, Sonja runs afoul of the tyrant Draygan (Robert Sheehan) and ends up enslaved alongside other gladiators for sport, ultimately leading a revolt alongside her new compatriots.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
To answer the obvious question first, yes, Lutz’s Red Sonja does wear the iconic chainmail bikini while fighting gladiator-style, which, let’s face it, doesn’t offer a lot of bodily protection.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Human activities played a huge part in the lion subspecies' decline, the AP reported, adding that many of the lions were killed by gladiators in Roman times.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Simply enormous fun would be to see a fine stretch duel between the two Breeders’ Classic gladiators this afternoon, and arguably even more fun for a goodly portion of the players would be to see Fierceness turn the tables and edge out his rock-hard rival.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gladiator
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Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
To answer the obvious question first, yes, Lutz’s Red Sonja does wear the iconic chainmail bikini while fighting gladiator-style, which, let’s face it, doesn’t offer a lot of bodily protection.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Human activities played a huge part in the lion subspecies' decline, the AP reported, adding that many of the lions were killed by gladiators in Roman times.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Simply enormous fun would be to see a fine stretch duel between the two Breeders’ Classic gladiators this afternoon, and arguably even more fun for a goodly portion of the players would be to see Fierceness turn the tables and edge out his rock-hard rival.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gladiator
Cite this Entry
“Gladiator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladiator. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gladiator
noun
glad·i·a·tor
ˈglad-ē-ˌāt-ər
1
: a person engaged in a fight to the death for public entertainment in ancient Rome
2
: a person engaging in a fierce fight or controversy
Etymology
from Latin gladiator, literally, "swordsman," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiolus
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