gladiator

noun

glad·​i·​a·​tor ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər 

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

ˌgla-dē-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms

• boxer
• fighter
• prizefighter
• pug
• pugilist

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners

Recent Examples on the Web

The drawings — made by children around 2,000 years ago — depict gladiators and hunters, according to a May 28 news release from the Pompeii Archaeological Park. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024

Before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 C.E., encasing the ancient city of Pompeii in volcanic ash, local children sketched gladiators fighting to the death on a courtyard wall. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2024

The former cop becomes a gladiator in the Thunderdome but is later exiled to the desert and rescued by a band of children. —Emily Krauser, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024

The next iteration of Black Twitter is up to the internet gladiators to decide. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2024

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

Kids Definition

gladiator

noun

glad·​i·​a·​tor ˈglad-ē-ˌāt-ər 

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

ˌglad-ē-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

-ˈtȯr-

adjective

Etymology

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