bandit

1 of 2

noun (1)

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits

1

plural also banditti ban-ˈdi-tē  : an outlaw who lives by plunder

especially : a member of a band of marauders

2

: robber

3

: an enemy plane

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

banditry

2 of 2

noun (2)

ban·​dit·​ry ˈban-də-trē 

plural -es

: the practice of marauding especially in semiorganized groups

juvenile banditry

civil wars and banditry are still common in Tibet

—Christopher Rand

Examples of bandit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Snoopy and Woodstock line the outside of the bowl in costumes like cowboys, mummies, bandits, and witches. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2026

They are huddled together around the camera, looking like a bizarre collection of bandits. — Kyle MacLachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Elsewhere, a gang of highway bandits cons an unsuspecting family into stopping by the roadside, only to violently kill them, burn their bodies, and strip their car for parts. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

In the ensuing, comically inept exchange of shotgun fire, both friends are injured, as is bandit leader Kakucha (Vakho Chkhartisvili). — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from Italian bandito (earlier in English also bandetto, probably by association with the Italian diminutive suffix -etto), noun derivative of bandito "put under a ban, outlawed, exiled," from past participle of bandire "(of a government or other authority) to announce, proclaim, proscribe, outlaw," probably borrowed (directly or via Old Occitan bandir) from Gothic bandwjan "to give a sign, show, reveal," derivative of bandwo "sign, signal" — more at band entry 3

Note: See also note at banderole.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bandit

• make out like a bandit
• one-arm bandit
• one-armed bandit

Kids Definition

bandit

noun

ban·​dit ˈban-dət 

plural bandits also banditti ban-ˈdit-ē 

: a person who lives by stealing and often as a member of a band : robber, outlaw

banditry

ˈban-də-trē 

noun

Etymology

Noun

from Italian bandito, literally, "one who is banished"