ENGLISH
REFERENCE

karate

n. · v.
US //kɝˈɑti// UK //kəɹˈɑːti// karate
  1. 1 the martial art (n.)
    A2 Elementary Sport

    a sport and method of fighting where you use your hands and feet to strike an opponent.

    an Okinawan martial art primarily involving striking techniques like punching and kicking. Uncountable in its general sense.

    Example

    She has been practicing karate since she was six years old and just got her black belt.

    Example

    The local community centre offers karate classes for all ages, focusing on both physical discipline and the philosophical foundations of the art.

    Usage

    Usually used with the verb 'do' or 'practice'.
  2. 2 to strike someone (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    to hit someone or something using karate moves.

    to attack or strike a person or object using techniques associated with karate. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    In the movie, the hero managed to karate his way through the group of villains.

    Example

    The protagonist attempted to karate the locked door open, though he only succeeded in bruising his foot.

    Teacher's tip

    This verbal use is informal and often used humorously or in action-movie contexts; it is not a technical term used by actual martial artists.
Origin

Borrowed from Japanese 空(から)手(て) (karate), from 唐(から)手(て) (karate), an orthographic borrowing from Okinawan 唐手(とーでぃー) (tōdī, “Chinese hand”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026