judo

noun

ju·​do ˈjü-(ˌ)dō 

: a sport developed from jujitsu that emphasizes the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent

judoist

ˈjü-ˌdō-ist 

noun

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Judo is a martial art that emphasizes the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent. Its techniques are generally intended to turn an opponent's force to one's own advantage rather than to oppose it directly. The opponent must be thrown cleanly, pinned, or mastered through the application of pressure to arm joints or the neck. Judo evolved out of the older martial art jujitsu in late-19th-century Japan, but it is now practiced primarily as sport. It became an Olympic sport for men in 1964; women's judo was added in 1992.

Examples of judo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My character had to be proficient in both judo and sumo, so mastering both martial arts became a crucial requirement. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Oct. 2023

But the gripping sports drama Tatami, which follows a female judo champ whose career is severely jeopardized by Iran’s government during an international tournament, is more than just a promising collaboration between two filmmakers hailing from opposing sides of a major conflict. —Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2023

One martial art with comparatively strong governance is judo, which focuses more on throws and takedowns but like Brazilian jujitsu traces its lineage back to Japanese forms of jujitsu. —John Wiegand, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023

Match commentary is used effectively to give unfamiliar audiences a low-key tutorial in various judo protocols, and also proves a handy vehicle for some necessary exposition. —Catherine Bray, Variety, 3 Sep. 2023

While judo and mixed martial arts are not sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, Harrison honed her craft as a teen and mastered it as an adult. —Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 24 June 2022

Putin had tapped a longtime friend and judo partner, Arkady Rotenberg, to oversee its costly construction. —Laris Karklis, Washington Post, 17 July 2023

These athletes, individuals with intellectual disabilities, are vying for medals in events including judo, powerlifting, badminton, and bocce. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 22 June 2023

Baldonado, whose sporting pursuits were soccer, judo, and swimming growing up, was first attracted to football at 13, but the burgeoning receiver didn’t stick with it because of the travel. —Jim McBride, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Japanese jūdō, from jū weakness, gentleness + dō art

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

judo

noun

ju·​do ˈjüd-ō 

plural judos

: a sport developed from jujitsu in which opponents attempt to throw each other by using quick movements and leverage