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

gladiatorial

ˌgla-dē-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms

• boxer
• fighter

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners

Recent Examples on the Web

Bite marks on the skeleton of a Yorkshire gladiator were found to be evidence of death by lion. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025

This new season is comprised of ten episodes, all of which drop today, spanning T-Rex gladiators, household appliances in a search for work-life balance, and aliens, demons, Nazi demons and lots more. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

The ancient amphitheater here, one of the best preserved in the world, was a venue for gladiator fights during its Roman era. —Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 9 June 2025

Spectacles like gladiator fights helped reinforce social roles and norms. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from gladius sword, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cleddyf sword

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gladiator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids 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

gladiatorial

ˌglad-ē-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

-ˈtȯr-

adjective

Etymology

from Latin gladiator, literally, "swordsman," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiolus