aerobics

plural noun

aer·​o·​bics ˌer-ˈō-biks How to pronounce aerobics (audio)
1
singular or plural in construction : a system of physical conditioning involving exercises (such as running, walking, swimming, or calisthenics) strenuously performed so as to cause marked temporary increase in respiration and heart rate
2
: aerobic exercises

Did you know?

This is a system of physical conditioning intended to improve the body’s ability to take in and use oxygen. Aerobic exercises, such as running, jogging, swimming, and dancing, stimulate heart and lung activity. To produce a benefit, aerobic training must raise the heart rate (pulse) to the exerciser’s training level for at least 20 minutes and include at least three sessions a week.

Examples of aerobics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Shortly after my aerobics class started, the crook called the community center pretending to be a bank manager. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Catherine Takawira, who owns Ignited Force Gym in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, took care of a member’s baby during a step aerobics class, and used the moment to post a piece of wisdom about community. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024 Meister participates in an aerobics class using her walker at the Baptist Memorial Plaza in Westchester. Alexi C. Cardona, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 There’s Leslie, a 64-year-old dancer and former aerobics champion; Joan, a 60-year-old school administrator who loves to cook; and Edith, a 60-year-old retired realtor whose hobbies include golf and salsa dancing. Dianna Mazzone, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023 An aerobics dance instructor, Oskar dreams of opening his own gym. Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 13 Dec. 2023 One of her earliest impacts at the high court was to organize a morning aerobics class. Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Dec. 2023 Watching Beethoven rock out on multiple electronic keyboards while Joan of Arc takes over an aerobics class is priceless. Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023 The look picked back up—again in an exercise capacity—in the 1980s with the aerobics craze. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aerobics.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

aerob(ic) + -ics

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aerobics was in 1967

Dictionary Entries Near aerobics

Cite this Entry

“Aerobics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerobics. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aerobics

noun singular or plural
aer·​o·​bics ˌa(-ə)r-ˈō-biks How to pronounce aerobics (audio)
ˌe(-ə)r-
: a system of exercises intended to improve the body's ability to take in and use oxygen

Medical Definition

aerobics

noun plural
aer·​o·​bics -biks How to pronounce aerobics (audio)
1
singular or plural in construction : a system of physical conditioning involving exercises (as running, walking, swimming, or calisthenics) strenuously performed so as to cause marked temporary increase in respiration and heart rate
2
: aerobic exercises
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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