1. The act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
   "we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully";
   - wrestle, wrestling, grapple, hand-to-hand struggle
    
2. The sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down
   "The old-timers reminisced about grappling matches in their youth";
   - wrestling, rassling [N. Amer, informal]

1. Hold or seize, as in a wrestling match
   "the two men grappled with each other for several minutes";
   - grip
    
2. Engage with and attempt to overcome a difficulty or challenge
   "Scientists grapple with complex theories";
   - cope, contend, deal, manage

Derived forms: grapplings

Type of: clutch, contact sport, prehend [archaic], seize, struggle, take hold, take hold of

Encyclopedia: Grappling