karate

noun

ka·​ra·​te kə-ˈrä-tē 

: a Japanese art of self-defense employing hand strikes and kicks to disable or subdue an opponent

karateist

kə-ˈrä-tē-ist 

noun

Examples of karate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wrestling was followed by football, and an encounter with karate at a neighborhood mall — inspired by an early obsession with Bruce Lee — later led to competitive boxing, Brazilian jujitsu and other martial arts disciplines. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025

Spillner, who grew up in the Dane County suburb of Windsor, also earned a third-degree black belt in karate. —Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025

Suit linings are slashed in reference to kimono sleeves, while some jackets are wrapped like karate uniforms. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025

Kuina is teaching karate at her father’s dojo, Heiya is an influencer, Aguni is running the Hatter’s hat shop, and Niragi is trying to be better for his kid. —Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from kara empty + te hand

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for karate

• dotty
• doughty
• draughty
• haughty
• knotty
• naughty
• potty
• scottie
• spotty
• strati
• zloty
• basmati

Kids Definition

karate

noun

ka·​ra·​te kə-ˈrät-ē 

: a Japanese art of self-defense without a weapon

Etymology

from Japanese karate, literally, "empty hand"