martial art

noun

: any of several arts of combat and self-defense (such as karate and judo) that are widely practiced as sport

martial artist noun

Examples of martial art in a Sentence

He was trained in the martial arts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chan has occasionally talked about his education at the China Drama Academy, a Peking opera school where students studied martial arts, singing, instruments, dance, and acrobatics for upwards of 17 or 18 hours a day. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026

Newberry said Rosenkranz is the husband of Elisha Rosenkranz and that the couple is deeply connected to ATA martial arts schools in Granbury, Cleburne and Glen Rose, Texas. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026

In November 2025, Palmer reported suffering injuries to his ribs and abdomen while performing martial arts training at the police department’s training center, the arrest warrant affidavit said. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Some television and film stars — including martial arts legend Jet Li — have starred in microdramas. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for martial art

• counterpart
• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart

Kids Definition

martial art

noun

: any of several arts of combat and self-defense (as karate and judo) that are widely practiced as a sport

martial artist noun