sumo

/ˈsumoʊ/

/ˈsuməʊ/

Other forms: sumos

Sumo is a Japanese wrestling style in which opponents try to force each other out of a ring. Sumo wrestlers are known for being enormous. The wrestlers live together and follow ancient traditions like growing their hair and wearing robes.

Sumo wrestling is an ancient Japanese sport that follows traditional rituals, such as tossing salt into the ring before a match to cleanse it, or even the manner of dress, in which giant men wear only small loincloths. In sumo wrestling, the two opponents grapple with the goal of pushing each other out of the ring or to the mat. The word sumo literally means "to mutually rush at," though it's used to mean simply "to compete."

Definitions of sumo

1. noun

   a Japanese form of wrestling; you lose if you are forced out of a small ring or if any part of your body (other than your feet) touches the ground
   type of:

   sport

   the occupation of athletes who compete for pay

   grappling, rassling, wrestling

   the sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down