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 of gladiator

• boxer
• fighter

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners

Recent Examples on the Web

The former sent out an oversized black and white polka dot skirt—a wink to the retro print—styled with a textured top and gladiator sandals, while Dries Van Noten’s red and white abstract set evoked Mediterranean nonchalance. —Minty Mellon, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026

Female gladiators were so rare there was no name for them in Latin or Greek. —Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

Its most famous use was for gladiator games, in which enslaved people or prisoners of war fought each other or wild animals to the death. —Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026

To some umps’ great dismay—and fans’ utter delight—calls are indeed getting overturned, with all the suspense of a Roman emperor deciding on a gladiator’s fate. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for gladiator

• coater
• creator
• curator
• debater
• deflator
• dictator
• dilator
• equator
• locator
• mutator
• piscator
• pronator

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