sword dance

noun

1
: a dance performed by men in a circle holding a sword in the right hand and grasping the tip of a neighbor's sword in the left hand
2
: a dance performed over or around swords
sword dancer noun

Examples of sword dance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Trump chose Saudi Arabia as his first foreign travel destination, accepting a thick gold medal from the king, swaying along to a sword dance and touching a giant glowing orb as part of a lavish extravaganza that became emblematic of his fealty to the kingdom. Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2022 That trip was highlighted by a mystifying photo op of the leaders gathered around a glowing orb and Trump briefly joining a ceremonial sword dance. Ellen Knickmeyer, Chris Megerian, Aamer Madhani, Anchorage Daily News, 15 July 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sword dance was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near sword dance

Cite this Entry

“Sword dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sword%20dance. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

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