gladiator
noun
glad·i·a·tor
ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər 
1
: a person engaged in a fight to the death as public entertainment for ancient Romans
2
: a person engaging in a public fight or controversy
3
: a trained fighter
especially
: a professional boxer
Examples of gladiator in a Sentence
the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners
Recent Examples on the Web
While quiet luxury is still holding its ground, with comfort sandals taking on an achingly chic pragmatism, other trends are swinging in the opposite direction — from nostalgic gladiators and clogs to snake prints slithering in as the new neutral.
—
Laura Lajiness Kaupke, refinery29.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Bond shows how professional and trade associations empowered bakers, gladiators, charioteers, and the like to wield their leverage—for example, by withholding their labor—in pursuit of improved conditions.
—The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Dior revealed these kicks in a lace-up, gladiator style, while Balmain’s had a glossy leather finish.
—Andrea Bossi, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Another approach is taken by a website called Chatbot Arena, which pits LLMs against one another, gladiator style, and lets users choose which model gives the better answers to their questions.
—Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gladiator
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Laura Lajiness Kaupke, refinery29.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Bond shows how professional and trade associations empowered bakers, gladiators, charioteers, and the like to wield their leverage—for example, by withholding their labor—in pursuit of improved conditions.
—The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Dior revealed these kicks in a lace-up, gladiator style, while Balmain’s had a glossy leather finish.
—Andrea Bossi, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Another approach is taken by a website called Chatbot Arena, which pits LLMs against one another, gladiator style, and lets users choose which model gives the better answers to their questions.
—Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gladiator
Cite this Entry
“Gladiator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladiator. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gladiator
noun
glad·i·a·tor
ˈglad-ē-ˌāt-ər
1
: a person engaged in a fight to the death for public entertainment in ancient Rome
2
: a person engaging in a fierce fight or controversy
Etymology
from Latin gladiator, literally, "swordsman," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiolus
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