judo

noun

ju·​do ˈjü-(ˌ)dō 

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

judoist

ˈjü-ˌdō-ist 

noun

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web

At the most recent Summer Olympics in 2021, Algerian judo athlete Fethi Nourine withdrew from the competition rather than compete against Tohar Butbul, an Israeli. —Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 July 2024

This is Canada’s first-ever judo gold, and Canada’s first Olympic gold these Games. Deguchi fought against Korea’s Huh Mi-Mi, who will walk away with silver. —Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 30 July 2024

Para Judo Para judo is one of two martial arts competitions at the Games. —Molly Higgins, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2024

Like in judo, which is all about balance, trying to stay standing, and not fall. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Japanese jūdō, from jū weakness, gentleness + dō art

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

judo

noun

ju·​do ˈjüd-ō 

plural judos

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