judo

noun

ju·​do ˈjü-(ˌ)dō 

: a sport developed from jujitsu that emphasizes the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent

judoist

ˈjü-ˌdō-ist 

noun

Did you know?

Judo is a martial art that emphasizes the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent. Its techniques are generally intended to turn an opponent's force to one's own advantage rather than to oppose it directly. The opponent must be thrown cleanly, pinned, or mastered through the application of pressure to arm joints or the neck. Judo evolved out of the older martial art jujitsu in late-19th-century Japan, but it is now practiced primarily as sport. It became an Olympic sport for men in 1964; women's judo was added in 1992.

Examples of judo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, others drew comparisons with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is known for posting photos of himself engaged in sports such as judo and horseback riding. —Jack Guy, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024

At only 34 years old, 'La Mole' left for eternity, born in the capital, who stood out as a member of our national judo team, achieving two titles and a Pan American silver, all in the -63kg category. —Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024

Already a practitioner of judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, sumo was an opportunity to challenge himself and try something new, and to share the historic Japanese sport with others. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024

In a fitting turnaround, the building is now Uchida Hall, named for the legendary judo coach, Yosh Uchida. —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2024

Fears remembered learning judo and how to take a rifle from an enemy. —Graham Womack, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024

When World War II broke out, Burke joined the Marine Corps and taught combat conditioning, including judo. —Frank Litsky, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2024

Vladimir Putin — 2019 Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is known for carefully curating his image, releasing photographs of him bare-chested riding a horse or swimming in a freezing Siberian lake or practicing judo in apparent displays of his strength and manliness. —Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 2 June 2023

Two sports, disc golf and judo, were contested as demonstration sports. —Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Japanese jūdō, from jū weakness, gentleness + dō art

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

judo

noun

ju·​do ˈjüd-ō 

plural judos

: a sport developed from jujitsu in which opponents attempt to throw each other by using quick movements and leverage