aikido

noun

: a Japanese art of self-defense employing locks and holds and utilizing the principle of nonresistance to cause an opponent's own momentum to work against him

Examples of aikido in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Toward the end of his time there, Mr. Yamada began to make money, and learn English, by teaching aikido to American service members stationed at the many military facilities around Tokyo. Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Jan. 2023 Founder and Director Heidi Stoeckley, a graduate of the Julliard School of Dance and a professional dancer, offers classes in ballet, modern dance, yoga and aikido, along with private lessons. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 25 Sep. 2019 An inversion of that history, in which Americans practice aikido or grow fluent in Japanese social customs in order to get by, is fascinating to watch the show parse. Karen Han, Vox, 6 Oct. 2018 Chay’s and JK Lee both offer Taekwondo, but there are many different styles of martial arts, including karate, aikido and kung fu. Gina Rich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2017 Like chokes, arm and wristlocks—standard techniques in judo, jiujitsu, and aikido—are relatively simple to learn but incredibly easy to take too far. Michael Thomsen, Slate Magazine, 10 Aug. 2017 The block’s second- and third-floor spaces are occupied by residential tenants, law offices, an aikido dojo, an artist and a violin maker. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aikido.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Japanese aikidō, from ai- match, coordinate + ki breath, spirit + art, way

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aikido was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near aikido

Cite this Entry

“Aikido.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aikido. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aikido

noun
: a Japanese art of self-defense characterized by the use of techniques that force an opponent's own weight to work against him or her

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