karate

noun

ka·​ra·​te kə-ˈrä-tē How to pronounce karate (audio)
: a Japanese art of self-defense employing hand strikes and kicks to disable or subdue an opponent
karateist noun

Examples of karate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Hotel Transylvania watch on netflix The Karate Kid Year: 1984 Runtime: 2h 7m Director: John G. Avildsen The massive success of Cobra Kai on Netflix brought young viewers back to the original films about the kid who learns karate from Mr. Miyagi. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025 In 1984, a kid from New Jersey and a California karate champion met on a beach in the San Fernando Valley. Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024 After working as a gardener and in several restaurants, Yoshida spent five years training, competing and teaching karate. Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 As for spirituality and fitness, Mangione called for the revival of traditional Japanese activities such as onsen (hot springs), the Shinto religion and karate. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for karate 

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from kara empty + te hand

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of karate was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near karate

Cite this Entry

“Karate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/karate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

karate

noun
ka·​ra·​te kə-ˈrät-ē How to pronounce karate (audio)
: a Japanese art of self-defense without a weapon
Etymology

from Japanese karate, literally, "empty hand"

More from Merriam-Webster on karate

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