sumo

noun

su·​mo ˈsü-(ˌ)mō 

: a Japanese form of wrestling in which a contestant loses if he is forced out of the ring or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground

Examples of sumo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In traditional, professional sumo, as it’s still practiced in Japan, women are barred from the sport entirely. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025

Over time, authorities also sidelined activities like sumo wrestling—considered vulgar by Westerners—in favor of baseball, boating, mountain climbing, and other activities popular in the West. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2025

The primary difference between sumo squats and regular bodyweight squats is that the sumo squat exercise targets the easy-to-overlook inner thigh and hip rotator muscles, including the gluteus medius. —Amber Sayer, Outside Online, 24 Feb. 2025

Or try a sumo squat, where your stance is wider and toes are turned out, to target your glutes and inner thighs. —Jen Murphy, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese sumō

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sumo

noun

su·​mo ˈsü-mō 

: a Japanese form of wrestling in which a contestant loses if forced out of the ring or if any part of the body except the soles of the feet touches the ground

Etymology

Japanese