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 Determined to turn Dolemite into a blaxploitation karate film starring himself, Rudy cobbles together a screenwriter (Keegan-Michael Key), a celebrated character actor (Wesley Snipes), and a comedian (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), and decides to do it himself. EW.com, 8 Nov. 2023 The families use each other's help coaching teams and ferrying their kids between piano practice and karate. Chris Boccia, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2024 Before her accident, Brooke filled her after-school life with dance, sports, karate, cello lessons and choir practice. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 As an 11-year-old, Brooke had been taking karate, soccer, cello and dance lessons and singing in a church choir. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024 Weathers had a black belt in Shotokan karate and became an avid golfer. Vulture, 4 Feb. 2024 The post included shots of him eating sushi off a model, getting fitted into a traditional kimono, flexing his moves in a karate studio and ad libbing alongside a group of dancers, who were also dressed in kimonos. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2023 Johnson taught Macchio the now-iconic crane kick which won Daniel the championship at the All Valley karate tournament in the first film. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 6 Nov. 2023 Additionally, Johnson was one of the lead instructors of Chuck Norris’ karate schools, teaching at his Sherman Oaks location. Jaden Thompson, Variety, 6 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'karate.' 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, 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 18 Mar. 2024.

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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