Definition of Taekwondo

Taekwon-do is the scientific use of the body in the method of
self-defence, a body that has gained the ultimate use of its
facilities through intensive physical and mental training.
This training is the mortar for building a strong sense of
justice fortitude humility and resolve. It is this mental
conditioning that separates the true practitioner from the
sensationalist,content on mastering only the fighting aspect
of the art.
This is one reason that Taekwon-do is called an art of
self-defence. It also implies a way of thinking and life,
particularly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict
self-imposed discipline and an ideal of noble moral
rearmament.

Translated literally

Tae stands for jumping or flying, to kick or smash with
the foot.

Kwon denotes the fist, chiefly to punch or destroy with
the hand or fist.

Do means an art or way, the right way built and paved
by the saints and sages in the past.

Thus collectively Taekwon-do indicates the mental training
and the techniques of unarmed combat for self-defence as
well as health, involving the skilled application of punches,
kicks, blocks and dodges with bare hands and feet to the
rapid destruction of the moving opponent or opponents.

Taekwon-do definitely enables the weak to posses a fine
weapon together with confidence to defend him or herself
and defeat the opponent as well.
Of course, wrongly applied, Taekwon-do can be a lethal weapon.
Therefore mental training must always be stressed to prevent
the student from misusing it.

Above text was taken from the Taekwon-do Encyclopeadia