Meaning & use

gladiator

noun·Academic

A person, especially a slave or captive, trained to fight for public entertainment in ancient Rome.

See it in a sentence

The gladiator entered the arena to the roar of thousands of spectators.

Historians study gladiator schools to understand daily life in the Roman Empire.

A note on using this word

Used figuratively today for anyone who fights fiercely or competes intensely, as in a courtroom or sports gladiator.

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