: a Japanese art of self-defense employing hand strikes and kicks to disable or subdue an opponent
Examples of karate in a Sentence
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Ultimately, Latinos are reduced to side characters, save for Benicio del Toro’s sardonic karate sensei.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Why are leprechauns so good at karate?
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 16 Mar. 2026
The San Jose State University student, who had a brown belt in karate and aspired to be a police officer, apparently fought furiously against her knife-wielding attacker, this news organization reported in 1989.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
The karate moves, unstoppable hips and physical swagger are there, yet so is some vulnerability and humility.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
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Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Why are leprechauns so good at karate?
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 16 Mar. 2026
The San Jose State University student, who had a brown belt in karate and aspired to be a police officer, apparently fought furiously against her knife-wielding attacker, this news organization reported in 1989.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
The karate moves, unstoppable hips and physical swagger are there, yet so is some vulnerability and humility.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for karate
Cite this Entry
“Karate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/karate. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
karate
noun
ka·ra·te
kə-ˈrät-ē 
: a Japanese art of self-defense without a weapon
Etymology
from Japanese karate, literally, "empty hand"
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