Taekwondo
/ˌtaɪ.kwɒnˈdoʊ/noun
A Korean martial art emphasizing kicking, punching, blocking, and disciplined movement.
Did you know?Its final element, do, comes from the same Sino-Korean character as Tao and the Japanese dō in martial arts, meaning a lifelong path or discipline.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient China
Old Chinese
道
“A road, path, or way; later a philosophical principle or disciplined course of life”
Ancient China
Classical Chinese
跆拳道
“A written compound meaning the way or path of kicking, fist, and martial practice”
Early Korean usage
Korean
태권도
“The Korean reading of 跆拳道: tae, foot or kick; gwon, fist; do, way”
1955
Korean
Taekwondo
“The standardized name adopted in South Korea for a modern Korean martial art”
20th Century
English
taekwondo
“An internationally practiced Korean martial art and competitive combat sport”
Modern English
English
Taekwondo
“A global martial art associated with powerful kicks, training, discipline, and self-control”