noun

wrestling

RES-ling/ˈreslɪŋ/

A sport in which opponents grapple and try to pin each other.

The two opponents practice wrestling, grappling in a standing hold on the mat.

Two similarly sized older male wrestlers in contrasting singlets grapple in a balanced standing collar-and-elbow tie on a marked wrestling mat, making organized sport unmistakable.

Etymology

wrestOld Englishto wrest

+lEnglishrepeated action

+ingEnglishaction or activity

The verb behind wrestling expresses repeated wrestling or grappling action. Its action noun already named the sport of trying to throw another person to the ground, closely matching the modern contest.

In context

MooLer119:21

these aliens fighting one another. It was almost like sumo wrestling in Star Wars at times.

EFAP #122 - Checking out the Top Ten Mandalorian S2 moments and reviews with Shad and Moriarty

More examples

In wrestling, a pin means holding both of your opponent's shoulders against the mat.
She practices wrestling three afternoons a week.
The wrestling tournament draws athletes from across the state.

Forms

wrestle verb — To grapple with an opponent competitively.

wrestler noun — A person who competes in wrestling.

Similar words

grappling: Emphasizes close holds and struggling, not necessarily a regulated sport.