bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits

1

plural also banditti ban-ˈdi-tē  : an outlaw who lives by plunder

especially : a member of a band of marauders

2

: robber

3

: an enemy plane

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

Examples of bandit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Players will have to keep an eye out for bandits and other hostiles in the area. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025

With Kelby Collins coming in as a transfer, there’s enough depth at bandit for Latham to spend more time at wolf. —Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Many California baby boomers — who bought into their neighborhoods long ago — have made out like bandits through escalating home prices. —Joel Kotkin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025

In the film, Page is rescued from a group of bandits by the swashbuckling, roguish army recruit Fanfan and offers him a tulip as thanks. —Rhett Bartlett, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian bandito (earlier in English also bandetto, probably by association with the Italian diminutive suffix -etto), noun derivative of bandito "put under a ban, outlawed, exiled," from past participle of bandire "(of a government or other authority) to announce, proclaim, proscribe, outlaw," probably borrowed (directly or via Old Occitan bandir) from Gothic bandwjan "to give a sign, show, reveal," derivative of bandwo "sign, signal" — more at band entry 3

Note: See also note at banderole.

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bandit

• make out like a bandit
• one-arm bandit
• one-armed bandit

Kids Definition

bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits also banditti ban-ˈdit-ē 

: a person who lives by stealing and often as a member of a band : robber, outlaw

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

Etymology

from Italian bandito, literally, "one who is banished"