gladiator

noun

glad·​i·​a·​tor ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər How to pronounce gladiator (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for gladiator

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gladiator was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gladiator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladiator. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

gladiator

noun
glad·​i·​a·​tor ˈglad-ē-ˌāt-ər How to pronounce gladiator (audio)
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 adjective
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on gladiator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!