sambo

noun

sam·​bo ˈsam-(ˌ)bō How to pronounce sambo (audio)
ˈsäm-
: an international style of wrestling employing judo techniques

Examples of sambo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Fake news sites that are part of Eliminalia’s network prominently feature the company’s name in stories about the martial art sambo and a dance school. Shawn Boburg, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2023 The sambo expert has a 6-3-1 UFC record, generally fighting under the radar. Todd Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2019 Islam Makhachev sports an impressive 14-1 record with three UFC victories and comes from a sambo background. Todd Martin, latimes.com, 21 Jan. 2018 The technique, a choke that’s meant to cut off blood flowing to the brain through the carotid arteries on either side of the neck, has many variations in jiujitsu, combat sambo, judo, and catch wrestling. Michael Thomsen, Slate Magazine, 10 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sambo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from samozashchita bez oruzhiya self-defense without weapons

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sambo was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near sambo

Cite this Entry

“Sambo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sambo. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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