wrestling

noun

wres·​tling ˈre-sliŋ 

ˈra-;

ˈre-sᵊl-iŋ, 

ˈra-

: a sport or contest in which two unarmed individuals struggle hand to hand with each attempting to subdue or unbalance the other

Examples of wrestling in a Sentence

My favorite sport is wrestling.

He was on the wrestling team in high school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pro wrestling champion Steph De Lander may have said it best as several WWE wrestlers departed the company last week. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Nelson is a math teacher and the school’s head wrestling coach. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026

Whether cast as an endearing tough guy or a wrestling villain, DeCosta is ultimately judged on performance — and the draft is his headlining gig. —Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

These people point to the rising popularity of mixed martial arts and fighting entertainment leagues like UFC and professional wrestling, which operate under one governing body, as an opportunity for boxing to reestablish itself in the combat sports landscape. —Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wrestling

• arm wrestling
• Indian wrestling
• wrist wrestling

Kids Definition

wrestling

noun

wres·​tling ˈres-liŋ 

: the sport in which two contestants wrestle each other