# gladiator

/ˈɡɫædiˌeɪtɝ/ (US) · /ɡlˈædɪˌeɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gladiator
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a person in ancient Rome who fought against other people or wild animals to entertain the public. These fighters were often slaves or prisoners who fought in large stadiums.

For teachers: a person, typically a slave or captive, who engaged in public combat for the entertainment of ancient Roman audiences. Often used metaphorically in modern contexts to describe a person involved in a fierce public struggle or competition.

## Examples

- The gladiator entered the arena to face his opponent.
- Historians study the lives of gladiators to understand the social hierarchy and entertainment culture of the Roman Empire.
- The film depicts the brutal reality of the arena, where the gladiator's survival depended as much on the crowd's fickle mercy as on his own martial skill.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the plural to refer to the class of fighters as a whole.

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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.