# bandit

/ˈbændət/ (US) · /bˈændɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bandit
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a robber

noun · CEFR B2

a person who robs others, usually as part of a group in a place where there is no law.

For teachers: an armed robber or outlaw, typically one operating as part of a gang in a remote or lawless region.

- The travelers were stopped by a group of bandits on the mountain road.
- Historically, these remote mountain passes were controlled by local bandits who demanded payment from any merchant attempting to cross the border.

Usage: Often used in historical or adventure contexts rather than for modern urban crime.

### 2. enemy aircraft

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a word used by pilots to mean an enemy airplane.

For teachers: a code word used in military aviation to identify an aircraft that has been positively identified as an enemy.

- The pilot spotted two bandits on his radar and called for backup.
- The flight lead confirmed two bandits at twelve o'clock, though they had not yet entered the engagement zone.

Teaching tip: In military jargon, a 'bandit' is known to be an enemy, whereas a 'bogey' is an unidentified aircraft.

### 3. unregistered runner

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

someone who runs in a race like a marathon without paying or registering.

For teachers: an individual who participates in a sanctioned race, such as a marathon, without having officially registered or paid the entry fee.

- The race organizers tried to stop the bandits from crossing the finish line.
- While some view race bandits as harmless, organizers argue they consume resources like water and medical support without contributing to the event's costs.

Teaching tip: This is a very specific use in the running community; most general English speakers will not know this meaning.

## Examples

- The bandit stole the merchant's gold coins.
- The highway bandit stopped the carriage and demanded all the passengers' money.
- In the old west, the bandit was a romantic figure, feared by the law but admired by those who suffered under the banks.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.