wrestling

IPA/ˈreslɪŋ/
KK[rˈɛslɪŋ]IPA/ˈreslɪŋ/

wrestling — noun

1. a sport where two people grip each other and use body strength and skill to forc

1.nounB1
Definition

a sport where two people grip each other and use body strength and skill to force the opponent's shoulders down onto a padded mat

Example

The twins practiced wrestling every Tuesday at the school gym under their coach, Mr. Chang.

practice wrestling / wrestling coach

A wrestling match at the summer fair drew a huge crowd of local fans.

wrestling match — event context

Common collocations
  • wrestling match
  • wrestling team
  • wrestling coach
  • professional wrestling
  • arm wrestling
Synonyms
  • grappling

    focuses on the close-grip techniques used in the sport, often used in martial arts contexts

  • wrestle

    the verb form; as a noun it is only used in compounds like 'arm wrestle'

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun

Usage Note

Wrestling is usually an uncountable noun and refers to the sport as an activity. A single contest is called a 'match'.

Common Mistakes

I joined a wrestling.
I joined a wrestling club / team / class.
'wrestling' is uncountable and needs a noun after it when referring to a group or place.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Wrestling is the broad term for the sport of gripping and throwing an opponent to the ground. Grappling refers specifically to the close-range techniques used in wrestling and in martial arts such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu — it is a set of skills, not a standalone sport. Judo is a Japanese martial art that includes throws and groundwork but follows a strict competition rulebook and a formal ranking system. Sumo is a ritualised Japanese form of wrestling where very large athletes try to push or force each other out of a circular ring. While all four involve body contact and takedowns, only wrestling (in its school and Olympic versions) uses pinning the shoulders to the mat as the primary win condition.

wrestling ↗grappling ↗judo ↗sumo ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • wrestling match
  • professional wrestling
  • arm wrestling

Prepositions

  • in wrestling
  • at wrestling

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word comes from Old English 'wræstlian', meaning 'to twist or wrench', which described the twisting holds and throws used in the sport. It is related to the word 'wrist' because the hands and wrists play a central role in gripping an opponent.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined above