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

The violence is also part of the wider spread of chaos by Islamist factions and bandits in the Sahel region south of the Sahara desert. —Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

Fortunately, the bandit survived his wild weekend, and has since been safely released back into the wild. —Amy McCarthy, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025

But as Sam lugs packages around beautiful yet treacherous terrain populated by [checks notes] robo-samurais and bandits rocking fresh techwear, a skepticism of his mission sets in. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025

With store bandits in some cases striking establishments just minutes apart, investigators say stores in Avondale, Edison Park, South Loop and Lake View were all hit. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Dec. 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"