kung fu

noun

ˌkəŋ-ˈfü How to pronounce kung fu (audio) ˌku̇ŋ- How to pronounce kung fu (audio)
: any of various Chinese martial arts and related disciplines that are practiced especially for self-defense, exercise, and spiritual growth

Examples of kung fu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But some movies need kung fu, a more Chinese style of fighting. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 The sci-fi family kung fu adventure would have broken our collective brains if not for Yeoh's heroic and grounded performance. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 Lunar new year event will feature traditional cultural performances, a lion dance and kung fu demonstration. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2026 In that seminal kung fu film’s climactic scene, Lee and Norris’ characters face off inside the Colosseum in Rome. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kung fu

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) gōngfu skill, art

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kung fu was in 1870

Rhymes for kung fu

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Browse Nearby Words

Kung
kung fu
kung pao
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Cite this Entry

“Kung fu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kung%20fu. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

kung fu

noun
ˌkəŋ-ˈfü How to pronounce kung fu (audio) ˌku̇ŋ- How to pronounce kung fu (audio)
: a Chinese art of self-defense resembling karate

More from Merriam-Webster on kung fu

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kung fu

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