karate

noun

ka·​ra·​te kə-ˈrä-tē How to pronounce karate (audio)
: a Japanese art of self-defense employing hand strikes and kicks to disable or subdue an opponent
karateist noun

Examples of karate in a Sentence

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.
After working as a gardener and in several restaurants, Yoshida spent five years training, competing and teaching karate. Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 As for spirituality and fitness, Mangione called for the revival of traditional Japanese activities such as onsen (hot springs), the Shinto religion and karate. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 Wang was chosen in part for his variety of martial arts skills, including karate, wing chun/kung fu, gumdo, kempo and taekwondo. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024 Jonathan Entwistle directs Legends, which stars Ben Wang as a young karate student. Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for karate 

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from kara empty + te hand

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of karate was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near karate

Cite this Entry

“Karate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/karate. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

karate

noun
ka·​ra·​te kə-ˈrät-ē How to pronounce karate (audio)
: a Japanese art of self-defense without a weapon
Etymology

from Japanese karate, literally, "empty hand"

More from Merriam-Webster on karate

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