sumo

noun su·mo \ ˈsü-(ˌ)mō \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Definition of sumo

: a Japanese form of wrestling in which a contestant loses if he is forced out of the ring or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground

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Recent Examples of sumo from the Web

Baseball, soccer and sumo are the favorites in Japan.

— stephen wade, Fox News, "AP Explains: American football's niche following in Japan," 23 May 2018
This month sexist rules in sumo came under fire when female first-aiders attending a sick man were ordered to leave the ring.

— The Economist, "A rare victory for #MeToo in Japan," 26 Apr. 2018
Some have pointed out that sumo has not always been so pious.

— The Economist, "Why women are not allowed in sumo rings—even to save a life," 14 Apr. 2018
In sumo's tradition, the ring is considered sacred and women are prohibited from entering.

— Fox News, "Sumo in uproar as women first responders ordered out of ring," 5 Apr. 2018
Women are traditionally barred from entering or touching the sumo ring, known as the dohyō.

— eli meixler, Time, "Female Medics Rushed to Help a Man Who Collapsed in a Sumo Ring. They Were Promptly Told to Leave," 5 Apr. 2018
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an election in Kenya, Mount Sinabung erupts again, the launch of a Soyuz rocket in Kazakhstan, elementary school sumo wrestlers in Japan, a snow leopard cub in France, and much more.

— alan taylor, The Atlantic, "Photos of the Week: 7/29–8/4," 4 Aug. 2017
The Mongolian grand champion Hakuho set the record for most career wins in sumo after capturing the Nagoya grand sumo tournament.

— the associated press, New York Times, "Usain Bolt Ends His Diamond League Career With a Win," 22 July 2017
YESTERDAY’S WORD — OMNIVOROUS ominous onus orison ours ovum minor minus miso mono moon moor morn moron mourn norm iron vinous virus visor room rosin ruin unmoor simoon soon sour sumo sunroom To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com.

— kathleen saxe, The Mercury News, "Word game: March 17, 2017," 17 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sumo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.