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 of gladiator

• boxer
• fighter

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners

Recent Examples on the Web

Galen, known as the father of modern medicine, started out as a doctor for gladiators—the equivalent of a residency on The Pitt. —Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026

Some 5,000 people, from school kids to pensioners, filled out the historic site which was built by the Ancient Greeks to stage plays and music and dance performance and then expanded by the Romans who used it for gladiator tournaments. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 June 2026

These modern-day gladiators like to unwind by swapping Pikachus for Charmanders. —Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Cussing in a gladiator sport like football shouldn’t draw much attention. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2026

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

Rhymes for gladiator

• creator
• curator
• debater
• deflator
• dictator
• dilator
• equator
• locator
• piscator
• pronator
• relator
• rotator

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