joust

1 of 2

verb

ˈjau̇st 

sometimes

ˈjəst 

or

ˈjüst 

jousted; jousting; jousts

intransitive verb

1

a

: to fight on horseback as a knight or man-at-arms

b

: to engage in combat with lances on horseback

2

: to engage in combat or competition as if in a joust

jousting debaters

jousting bighorn rams

jouster noun

joust

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a combat on horseback between two knights with lances especially as part of a tournament

b

jousts plural : tournament

2

: a personal combat or competition : struggle

Examples of joust in a Sentence

Verb

The knights jousted against each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Now the Ducks, who put pen to paper with Quenneville last May, are seeking to replicate that feat by jousting with the Vegas Golden Knights for a chance to advance to the conference finals for the first time since their 2017 loss to the Nashville Predators. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 May 2026

Who hasn’t faux-jousted at some point in their lives? —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Noun

There are micro-twists within the major ones, expressive fillips that blend confessions and aphorisms, and grand reflections along with jousts of seductive wit. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026

Attending a joust is one of the quintessential renaissance festival experiences. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French juster to unite, joust, from Vulgar Latin *juxtare, from Latin juxta near; akin to Latin jungere to join — more at yoke

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for joust

• doused
• faust
• oust

Kids Definition

joust

noun

ˈjau̇st

: a combat on horseback between two knights with lances especially as part of a tournament

joust verb

jouster noun