bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits

1

plural also banditti ban-ˈdi-tē  : an outlaw who lives by plunder

especially : a member of a band of marauders

2

: robber

3

: an enemy plane

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

Examples of bandit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The film takes place partly in that sunny hospital and partly in impossible locations where the story of a group of bandits out for revenge leads them to travel the world. —Leila Jordan, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2024

Another involves three nuns who ventured from Mission Santa Barbara to bring food and Bibles to local Native Americans more than a century ago, then were were robbed and killed by highway bandits. —Paula Conway, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Of course, anyone looking to recklessly blast rocket launchers and beat bandits to death for pocket treasure will be fully out of luck. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2024

Kevin and the bandits hop from significant historical era to significant historical era not quite understanding how the map works, while comic embodiments of good and evil plot their downfall. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian bandito (earlier in English also bandetto, probably by association with the Italian diminutive suffix -etto), noun derivative of bandito "put under a ban, outlawed, exiled," from past participle of bandire "(of a government or other authority) to announce, proclaim, proscribe, outlaw," probably borrowed (directly or via Old Occitan bandir) from Gothic bandwjan "to give a sign, show, reveal," derivative of bandwo "sign, signal" — more at band entry 3

Note: See also note at banderole.

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bandit

• make out like a bandit
• one-arm bandit
• one-armed bandit

Kids Definition

bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits also banditti ban-ˈdit-ē 

: a person who lives by stealing and often as a member of a band : robber, outlaw

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

Etymology

from Italian bandito, literally, "one who is banished"