gladiator

noun glad·i·a·tor \ ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: gladiator in a Sentence

Definition of gladiator

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

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gladiatorial

play \ˌgla-dē-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl\ adjective

See gladiator defined for English-language learners

See gladiator defined for kids

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners

Recent Examples of gladiator from the Web

Here, attendees exchange hippie headbands for cowboy hats and gladiator sandals for boots and do-si-do under a neon moon to some of country's brightest stars.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "Everything You Need to Know Before Attending a Country Music Festival," 1 June 2018
My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings... absolutely heartbroken.

— james freeman, WSJ, "Foreign Investors Send a Warning to Mitch McConnell," 30 Apr. 2018
But there is a substrain of music that surveys the national landscape and decides to stage a gladiator match between red and blue America.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Fight Songs: Can Political Debate Make Good Music?," 18 May 2018
My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings... absolutely heartbroken.

— james freeman, WSJ, "Foreign Investors Send a Warning to Mitch McConnell," 30 Apr. 2018
My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings... absolutely heartbroken.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "Alfie Evans, toddler at center of UK legal battle, dies," 28 Apr. 2018
They were overdressed — Higginbottom in his suspenders and Wright in red gladiator sandals — and uncomfortable.

— vanessa gregory, New York Times, "A Lynching’s Long Shadow," 25 Apr. 2018
And, as is tradition, Busch celebrated his victory with a gladiator sword.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "See Kyle Busch celebrate NASCAR race win with a gladiator sword," 17 Apr. 2018
The Washington students tried hoisting him on their shoulders and carrying him off the court like a conquering gladiator.

— percy allen, The Seattle Times, "Washington stuns No. 9 Arizona 78-75 with Dominic Green’s buzzer beater," 3 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gladiator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gladiator

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

gladiator Synonyms

Synonyms

boxer, fighter, prizefighter, pugilist;

Related Words

slugger;

bantamweight, cruiserweight, featherweight, flyweight, heavyweight, light heavyweight, lightweight, middleweight, superheavyweight, welterweight;

GLADIATOR Defined for English Language Learners

gladiator

noun

Definition of gladiator for English Language Learners

: a man in ancient Rome who fought against another man or animal for public entertainment

GLADIATOR Defined for Kids

gladiator

noun glad·i·a·tor \ ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər \

Definition of gladiator for Students

: a man in ancient Rome who took part in fights as public entertainment

Learn More about gladiator

See words that rhyme with gladiator Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gladiator Spanish Central: Translation of gladiator Nglish: Translation of gladiator for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gladiator

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gladiator

Definition of gladiator

gladiatorial

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gladiator from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gladiator

gladiator Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

GLADIATOR Defined for English Language Learners

gladiator

Definition of gladiator for English Language Learners

GLADIATOR Defined for Kids

gladiator

Definition of gladiator for Students

Learn More about gladiator

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