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

gladiatorial

ˌgla-dē-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms

• boxer
• fighter
• prizefighter
• pug
• pugilist

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners

Recent Examples on the Web

Situated directly below the Main Stand, players can hear everything happening above, like gladiators waiting to enter the coliseum. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 15 May 2025

The gladiator lived during the 3rd century A.D. and was between 26 and 35 years old at the time of his death. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025

The Drop Samantha Flat Strappy Lace-Up Sandal More than 100 shoppers have added these strappy gladiator sandals to their Amazon carts in the past month alone. —Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 8 May 2025

However, because the Romans cremated their dead for many years, archaeologists have not found many gladiator bodies. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from gladius sword, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cleddyf sword

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gladiator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids 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

gladiatorial

ˌglad-ē-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

-ˈtȯr-

adjective

Etymology

from Latin gladiator, literally, "swordsman," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiolus