sumo

noun

su·​mo ˈsü-(ˌ)mō How to pronounce sumo (audio)
: 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

Examples of sumo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The grand opening will feature a live demonstration by professional sumo wrestlers and a ceremonial breaking of a sake barrel, according to the casino. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025 Some origin stories date the first sumo match to around the time of the Roman Empire’s founding, but these days, professional sumo has six divisions. Matt Moret, New York Times, 29 May 2025 The quick victory for Akebono did little to elevate the match, highlighting the inherent disconnect between sumo wrestling and the WWE's entertainment style, and the match itself was far from a memorable showcase of sumo skill. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 Peña’s staging, mostly within a simple 15-foot sumo ring designed by Wilson Chin, provides plenty of intense action, which the men’s size and strength make almost elemental, like collisions of planets. Jesse Green, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sumo

Word History

Etymology

Japanese sumō

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sumo was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Sumo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sumo. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sumo

noun
su·​mo ˈsü-mō How to pronounce sumo (audio)
: a Japanese form of wrestling in which a contestant loses if forced out of the ring or if any part of the body except the soles of the feet touches the ground
Etymology

Japanese

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