sambo

noun

sam·​bo ˈsam-(ˌ)bō How to pronounce sambo (audio)
ˈsäm-
: an international style of wrestling employing judo techniques

Examples of sambo 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.
Fake news sites that are part of Eliminalia’s network prominently feature the company’s name in stories about the martial art sambo and a dance school. Shawn Boburg, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2023 The sambo expert has a 6-3-1 UFC record, generally fighting under the radar. Todd Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2019 Islam Makhachev sports an impressive 14-1 record with three UFC victories and comes from a sambo background. Todd Martin, latimes.com, 21 Jan. 2018 The technique, a choke that’s meant to cut off blood flowing to the brain through the carotid arteries on either side of the neck, has many variations in jiujitsu, combat sambo, judo, and catch wrestling. Michael Thomsen, Slate Magazine, 10 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from samozashchita bez oruzhiya self-defense without weapons

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sambo was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near sambo

Cite this Entry

“Sambo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sambo. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sambo

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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