Karate Definition & Meaning

American

British

Usage

Etymology

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Synonyms karate American [kuh-rah-tee] / kəˈrɑ ti /

noun

1. a method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of weapons by striking sensitive areas on an attacker's body with the hands, elbows, knees, or feet.

2. a sport based on this method of self-defense.

karate British / kəˈrɑːtɪ /

noun

1. 1. a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat, employing smashes, chops, kicks, etc, made with the hands, feet, elbows, or legs

   2. ( as modifier )

      a karate chop to the head

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does karate mean? Karate is a martial art and an unarmed combat and self-defense system that targets weak areas on an attacker’s body by using the hands, arms, legs, and feet to strike with fast, powerful blows. Karate originated in Japan.Like other martial arts, karate is known for emphasizing the mental aspects of the discipline as well as values like courtesy and respect. The learning level of a person who practices karate is signified with a belt. The highest level is black belt.A person who practices or competes in karate can be called a karateka. A karate instructor can be called a sensei, and a school where karate is taught can be called a dojo.Karate is one of the most well-known martial arts. Probably for this reason, the word karate is sometimes used in a very general, casual way as a catchall term for any martial art.Karate is also practiced as a sport in two main forms. Kumite (meaning “sparring”) is the traditional form involving matches between two fighters who spar against each other and are awarded points for landing blows. The other form, kata (meaning “pattern” or “form”), involves individual competitors performing a rehearsed set of karate techniques (called forms) before a panel of judges. Both types were first included as Olympic events in the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.Example: I signed my kids up for karate so that they can learn self-defense and build their confidence.

Etymology

Origin of karate

1950–55; < Japanese, equivalent to kara empty + te (earlier *tai ) hand(s)

Compare meaning

How does karate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• kung fu vs. karate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She was a longtime karate instructor and was also tied to the arts community.

From Los Angeles Times

She is about to earn her black belt in karate.

From Los Angeles Times

A huge smile from the tiny boy, a karate student who says he’s almost 4 and a half, thank you very much.

From Los Angeles Times

“She deserved a childhood full of laughter, school days, karate, family time and dreams ... not this,” read the page.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the sports being moved are men's football, chess, judo, karate and wrestling.

From Barron's

Related Words

• judo
• wrestling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.