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
Examples of gladiator in a Sentence
the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners
Recent Examples on the Web
Baena wrote in an Instagram post celebrating his victory, accompanied by several photos and videos of him posing on stage with a sword and gladiator-style helmet.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
At roughly 1,800 years old, the artwork depicts women fighting animals long after the empire banned them from performing as gladiators.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
See the full list of Season 1 gladiator names and the trailer here.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Truck traditionalists and forum gladiators will argue this, of course.
—New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gladiator
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Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
At roughly 1,800 years old, the artwork depicts women fighting animals long after the empire banned them from performing as gladiators.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
See the full list of Season 1 gladiator names and the trailer here.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Truck traditionalists and forum gladiators will argue this, of course.
—New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gladiator
Cite this Entry
“Gladiator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladiator. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Etymology
from Latin gladiator, literally, "swordsman," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiolus
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