bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits

1

plural also banditti ban-ˈdi-tē  : an outlaw who lives by plunder

especially : a member of a band of marauders

2

: robber

3

: an enemy plane

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

Examples of bandit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Palm Beach County’s friendly neighborhood sugar cane barons might yet make out like bandits. —Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2025

And the cast, in particular Clement as Pure Evil and Lisa Kudrow as the time bandits’ leader, Penelope, were all having a great time, giving the series an infectiously gleeful energy. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 23 July 2025

Others tuck an empty sack under their pants' belt on one hip, and on the other, a knife, to protect themselves from looters and bandits, as hunger spreads lawlessness throughout Gaza. —Anas Baba, NPR, 6 July 2025

Speaking of bandits, Leland Stanford famously jumpstarted his profits from miners into even greater swindles as a railroad baron, California Governor, and US Senator. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian bandito (earlier in English also bandetto, probably by association with the Italian diminutive suffix -etto), noun derivative of bandito "put under a ban, outlawed, exiled," from past participle of bandire "(of a government or other authority) to announce, proclaim, proscribe, outlaw," probably borrowed (directly or via Old Occitan bandir) from Gothic bandwjan "to give a sign, show, reveal," derivative of bandwo "sign, signal" — more at band entry 3

Note: See also note at banderole.

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bandit

• make out like a bandit
• one-arm bandit
• one-armed bandit

Kids Definition

bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits also banditti ban-ˈdit-ē 

: a person who lives by stealing and often as a member of a band : robber, outlaw

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

Etymology

from Italian bandito, literally, "one who is banished"