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
Examples of gladiator in a Sentence
the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners
Recent Examples on the Web
Davis plays Achillia, the Spartacus franchise’s first female gladiator, in the sequel series, which will debut on December 5.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
That is gladiators without swords.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
That is gladiators without swords.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 8 Oct. 2025
That is violent chess, that is gladiators without swords.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gladiator
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Pete Hammond, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
That is gladiators without swords.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
That is gladiators without swords.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 8 Oct. 2025
That is violent chess, that is gladiators without swords.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gladiator
Cite this Entry
“Gladiator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladiator. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Etymology
from Latin gladiator, literally, "swordsman," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiolus
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