bullfighter
A person who performs in shows by fighting bulls.
A bullfighter is a person who faces bulls in a special kind of performance called bullfighting, which developed centuries ago in Spain and spread to parts of Latin America and southern France. During a bullfight, the bullfighter (called a matador in Spanish) enters a large arena where a bull has been released and performs a series of traditional movements with a cape while the bull charges.
Bullfighting remains popular in some countries as an art form and tradition, where bullfighters train for years to master the precise movements and timing needed to work as safely as possible with a dangerous animal. The bullfighter's costume, called a suit of lights, is covered in elaborate embroidery and sparkles under the arena lights. Famous bullfighters become celebrities in countries where the tradition is practiced.
In many other countries, including most of the United States, bullfighting is uncommon or prohibited because of concerns about animal welfare. The debate over bullfighting highlights how different cultures have different traditions and different views about what counts as art, sport, or entertainment.