sumo

noun

su·​mo ˈsü-(ˌ)mō 

: a Japanese form of wrestling in which a contestant loses if he is forced out of the ring or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground

Examples of sumo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And while, as Hunt observes, foreigners are coming to dominate the sport, sumo fans skew conservative and elderly. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026

In that sense, manga is similar to other Japanese cultural forms that eventually gained global audiences, such as ukiyo-e, kabuki, or even sumo. — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Little Miss Sumo is the story of 20-year-old Hiyori Kon, one of the few female amateur sumo wrestlers competing in Japan. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026

Explore Japan’s rich cultural heritage, from a sumo stable and Edo-period neighborhood to kimono fittings, pottery workshops, and UNESCO World Heritage temples. — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese sumō

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sumo

noun

su·​mo ˈsü-mō 

: a Japanese form of wrestling in which a contestant loses if forced out of the ring or if any part of the body except the soles of the feet touches the ground

Etymology

Japanese