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

Did you know?

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

The film includes subtle references Japanese audiences should recognize, such as a judo team among the train passengers — a detail that stood out in the original film. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025

Harrison is a former Professional Fighters League champion, and two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

There was Jade Girl VO (for a judo move), Dog Fart (murky origins) and 1818 (to mark a first visit to the saloon on Jan. 8, 2018). —Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025

For the franchise, Reeves trained in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, while Stahelski, who served as a stunt double for Reeves in The Matrix films, staged the stunts. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese jūdō, from jū weakness, gentleness + dō art

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for judo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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