: a sport developed from jujitsu that emphasizes the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent

judoist

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural -s
: one who is trained or skilled in judo

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Judo is a martial art that emphasizes the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent. Its techniques are generally intended to turn an opponent's force to one's own advantage rather than to oppose it directly. The opponent must be thrown cleanly, pinned, or mastered through the application of pressure to arm joints or the neck. Judo evolved out of the older martial art jujitsu in late-19th-century Japan, but it is now practiced primarily as sport. It became an Olympic sport for men in 1964; women's judo was added in 1992.

Examples of judo in a Sentence

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Noun
That includes disciplines such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, wrestling and judo. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 June 2026 The two first met as kids practicing judo at the YMCA in Allapattah. Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 As with other martial arts—jiu-jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai—judo can be extraordinarily violent. Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 Victor nearly followed in Félix’s footsteps As a boy, Victor participated in various sports, including judo and soccer. Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for judo

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Japanese jūdō, from weakness, gentleness + art

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of judo was in 1889

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Cite this Entry

“Judo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judo. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

plural judos
: a sport developed from jujitsu in which opponents attempt to throw each other by using quick movements and leverage

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