martial art

/ˌmɑrʃəl ɑrt/

/ˈmɑʃəl ɑt/

Other forms: martial arts

Martial art is a traditional East Asian form of self-defense, combat, exercise, and spiritual practice. Karate, Judo, and Aikido are all martial arts.

Some people practice martial arts to defend themselves or fight, but many learn these techniques of movement, kicks, and punches for mental and physical exercise — or to preserve their own cultural heritage. Martial arts was first used around the turn of the twentieth century, a translation of the Japanese bujutsu. The martial part comes from Mars, the Roman war god. Practice your favorite martial art long enough and you may be able to earn a black belt!

Definitions of martial art

1. noun

   any of several East Asian arts of weaponless self-defense; usually practiced as a sport
   “he had a black belt in the martial arts”

   types:

   aikido

   a Japanese martial art employing principles similar to judo

   judo

   a sport adapted from jujitsu (using principles of not resisting) and similar to wrestling; developed in Japan

   jiujitsu, jujitsu, jujutsu

   a method of self-defense without weapons that was developed in China and Japan; holds and blows are supplemented by clever use of the attacker's own weight and strength

   ninjitsu, ninjutsu

   the traditional Japanese method of espionage; involves stealthy movements and the use of camouflage

   karate

   a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat; sharp blows and kicks are given to pressure-sensitive points on the body of the opponent

   kung fu

   a Chinese martial art

   tae kwon do, taekwondo

   a Korean martial art similar to karate

   t'ai chi, t'ai chi chuan, tai chi, tai chi chuan, taichi, taichichuan

   a Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation and balance and health

   type of:

   self-defence, self-defense, self-protection

   the act of defending yourself