Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. 1 Any of several fighting styles which contain systematized methods of training for combat, both armed and unarmed; often practiced as a sport, e.g. boxing, karate, judo, silat, wrestling, or Muay Thai. 2 military skills, proficiency in military strategy, prowess in warfare
WordNet
n. any of several Oriental arts of weaponless self-defense; usually practiced as a sport; "he had a black belt in the martial arts"
Usage examples of "martial art".
Shisei shouted, one quick bloodcurdling cry, a kiai, a giving voice to the spirit, more than a battle cry, a martial art in its own right.
Learning of the plan, Luke and his friends learn the Teras-Kasi martial art, and defeat Lyn.
Few people untrained in martial art comprehend the devastating nature of a properly executed wraparound throw.
He practiced an almost magical martial art that resembled interpretive dancing and produced truly horrifying results.
The simple rhythms produced were part and parcel of the acrobatic African/South American martial art of Capoeira that Roberta Santos-a black, Brazilian master of the dance who bore the title of Capoeirista Mestre-practiced for hours every day.
The subject was aikido, an ancient martial art which utilizes much inner energy, or ki.
In the first place, no martial art depended solely on physical discipline.
There was one martial art at the beginning, in the deep, deep past of the Orient.
Nicholas was a ninja, but he was also tanjian, a hereditary member of a syncretic psychic discipline far older than any martial art.