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

There's bandits blocking the road in certain areas. —Tania Francois, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025

Abuja, Nigeria — Police in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State reported that a group of armed bandits invaded a private Catholic school abducting hundreds of schoolchildren early on Friday, amid widespread outrage over violence against Christians in the West African nation. —Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025

Authorities say the bandits are mostly former herders who have taken up arms against farming communities after clashes between them over strained resources. —NPR, 19 Nov. 2025

The wealthy and well-connected have made out like bandits. —MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 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"