wrestling

/ˈrɛs(ə)lɪŋ/

/ˈrɛslɪŋ/

Other forms: wrestlings

Wrestling is a sport in which two athletes compete to see who can hold the other down, using specific moves. If you enjoy grappling with your brother, pinning each other to the couch, you might want to take up wrestling.

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports, dating back to the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians. The original Greek Olympics included a brutal, violent form of wrestling. If you watch or participate in high school or college wrestling, you know that these days, it's a highly controlled, athletic sport. So-called professional wrestling, on the other hand, is mainly a form of entertainment, featuring gaudy costumes and elaborately choreographed moves.

Definitions of wrestling

1. noun

   the sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down
   synonyms: grappling, rassling

   types:

   flying mare

   a wrestling maneuver

   Greco-Roman wrestling

   a style of wrestling where the wrestlers are forbidden to tackle or trip or use holds below the waist

   professional wrestling

   wrestling for money

   sumo

   a Japanese form of wrestling; you lose if you are forced out of a small ring or if any part of your body (other than your feet) touches the ground

   type of:

   contact sport

   a sport that necessarily involves body contact between opposing players
2. noun

   the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
   synonyms: grapple, grappling, hand-to-hand struggle, wrestle

   type of:

   struggle

   strenuous effort