: a Japanese art of self-defense employing hand strikes and kicks to disable or subdue an opponent
Examples of karate in a Sentence
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Ultimately, Latinos are reduced to side characters, save for Benicio del Toro's sardonic karate sensei.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
The president had just been informed during a tour of Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate that the famous musician had multiple black belts in karate.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
The organization adds karate to physical education programs in schools across the state of Texas, with character-building lessons built in.
—Emily Trainham , Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
After his 1962 discharge, Norris worked for aerospace company Northrop and opened a chain of karate schools; celebrity clients at the schools included Steve McQueen, Chad McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
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Gustavo Arellano, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
The president had just been informed during a tour of Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate that the famous musician had multiple black belts in karate.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
The organization adds karate to physical education programs in schools across the state of Texas, with character-building lessons built in.
—Emily Trainham , Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
After his 1962 discharge, Norris worked for aerospace company Northrop and opened a chain of karate schools; celebrity clients at the schools included Steve McQueen, Chad McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for karate
Cite this Entry
“Karate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/karate. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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"
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