gladiator

noun

glad·​i·​a·​tor ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər 

1

: a person engaged in a fight to the death as public entertainment for ancient Romans

2

: a person engaging in a public fight or controversy

3

: a trained fighter

especially : a professional boxer

gladiatorial

ˌgla-dē-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms

• boxer
• fighter
• prizefighter
• pug
• pugilist

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners

Recent Examples on the Web

Lucius returns to Rome after being forced into slavery to battle not as a ruler but as a gladiator out for revenge and power, seeking to return the glory of Rome to its people. —Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Oct. 2024

Events bring Lucius back to Rome as a gladiator, making new enemies and reuniting with his mother. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024

Directed by Scott's son, Jake Scott, Kelce stars in the commercial as a gladiator alongside the other athletes and Megan, 29, who plays an empress. —Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024

But when the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome conquer his new home, he is captured and, like his father, forced to become a gladiator. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from gladius sword, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cleddyf sword

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gladiator

noun

glad·​i·​a·​tor ˈglad-ē-ˌāt-ər 

1

: a person engaged in a fight to the death for public entertainment in ancient Rome

2

: a person engaging in a fierce fight or controversy

gladiatorial

ˌglad-ē-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

-ˈtȯr-

adjective

Etymology

from Latin gladiator, literally, "swordsman," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiolus