martial art

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A particular system of fighting or self-defense skills, such as karate or judo, practiced for sport, fitness, or discipline.

   Grammar: Singular form for one specific style: karate is a martial art.

   Patterns

   • practice a martial art
   • study a martial art
   • train in a martial art

   Karate is a martial art that began in Japan.

   He has practiced a martial art since he was seven.

   She chose judo as her first martial art.

2. 2nounusually plural

   The whole field of fighting systems practiced for sport, self-defense, or personal growth, referred to in the plural.

   Grammar: The plural form names the general activity: she teaches martial arts.

   Patterns

   • study martial arts
   • teach martial arts

   She teaches martial arts at the community center.

   My brother is into martial arts and trains every evening.

   Martial arts movies became popular around the world in the 1970s.

Word forms

Common combinations

practice a martial art

He practices a martial art three evenings a week.

mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts combines striking and wrestling.

martial arts school

The new martial arts school opened downtown.

martial arts instructor

Her martial arts instructor taught patience as well as technique.

study martial arts

He decided to study martial arts after college.

traditional martial art

Kendo is a traditional martial art that uses bamboo swords.

Synonyms and how they differ

combat sport

Combat sport focuses on competition, such as boxing, while martial art can include non-competitive forms and philosophy.

self-defense

Self-defense is about protecting yourself and need not involve a formal discipline.

fighting style

Fighting style is an informal phrase for a particular approach and has no sense of tradition or training.

discipline

Discipline is a general word for any trained practice, which does not necessarily involve fighting.

Word family

martial adjective

relating to war or fighting

martial artist noun

a person who practices a martial art

martially adverb

in a military or warlike manner

martial law noun

military control of a country in an emergency

Commonly confused: martial art or marshal?

Practice

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