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

The documentary is narrated by Gucci ambassador and future Ridley Scott gladiator Paul Mescal and directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost of Paranormal Activity 3 (and 4) fame. —Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024

During gladiator fights, women were allowed to sit only in the worst seats, next to the slaves. —Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024

Senna, Prost, Mansell; these guys were proper gladiators. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024

But there was Taylor on Saturday night, trotting back out of the locker room and onto the Indianapolis sideline, pacing back and forth like a gladiator ready to be unleashed, refusing to give in to the pain coursing through his ankle. —The Indianapolis Star, 7 Jan. 2024

Supporters and critics alike compare it to the gladiator games of ancient Rome. —Toby Muse, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024

The gladiator sequence is also distinct from any other in Dune: Part Two. —EW.com, 20 Feb. 2024

The teen wore a two piece set featuring a strapless crop top and skirt combo teamed with gladiator strappy heels. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024

The collection also includes a pair of seashell sunglasses, and gladiator sandals with heels, which tie up your leg. —Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 13 Feb. 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