bullfight

noun

bull·​fight ˈbu̇l-ˌfīt How to pronounce bullfight (audio)
 also  ˈbəl-
: a spectacle in which men ceremonially fight with and in Hispanic tradition kill bulls in an arena for public entertainment
bullfighter
ˈbu̇l-ˌfī-tər How to pronounce bullfight (audio)
 also  ˈbəl-
noun

Examples of bullfight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There was a parade, a bullfight, several Catholic Masses — and ample opportunity to share the food, language and culture of a quietly powerful community tucked into California’s farmlands. Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 Supporters of that view point to the survival of the rodeo, which, like the bullfight, entertains spectators by mistreating animals. Peter Singer, TIME, 26 Oct. 2024 The performances, while beautiful, felt haphazardly curated; the opening, which features a parody of a Spanish bullfight, is not reflective of the rest of the show. H. Jiahong Pan, Twin Cities, 2 Aug. 2024 The animals are bred to be aggressive and are taunted during the bullfight before being killed. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for bullfight 

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bullfight was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near bullfight

Cite this Entry

“Bullfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullfight. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bullfight

noun
bull·​fight ˈbu̇l-ˌfīt How to pronounce bullfight (audio)
: a public entertainment in which people excite bulls, display daring in escaping their charges, and finally kill them
bullfighter noun
bullfighting noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bullfight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!