Fought is the past tense of the verb fight. It describes having engaged in a conflict, struggle, or battle that already happened.

Soldiers fought in wars, sometimes for years at a time. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks fought for civil rights through protests and speeches. Your grandparents might have fought through difficult times to build a better life for their families.

The word doesn't always mean physical combat. Students fought against distractions when studying for a big test. Scientists fought diseases by researching cures. A gymnast fought through fear to attempt a difficult move. When you've fought for something, you've put real effort and determination into achieving it or defending it, even when things got hard.

Sometimes people say they fought with a friend, meaning they had an argument. Other times they say they fought beside or alongside someone, meaning they worked together toward a common goal. The word carries a sense of intensity and struggle, whether the battle was physical, mental, or emotional. When something was hard-fought, it means victory came only after serious effort and determination.