physical education

American  

noun

1. systematic instruction in sports, exercises, and hygiene given as part of a school or college program.

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physical education British  

noun

1.  PE.  training and practice in sports, gymnastics, etc, as in schools and colleges

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Etymology

Origin of physical education

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Aspiring physical education teacher Gao Yemiao missed his 30-second window to buy a train ticket home for China's biggest holiday before seats sold out -- but he was lucky.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

This small-group instruction is "almost personalized" and more "efficient" than typical classes, added Clarisse Naud, a physical education adviser.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

There, the physical education graduate hopes to pick up swimming classes to pay his way.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

At least one student rebelled, leading to the confiscation of a phone during physical education, reported an 8th-grader at Walter Reed, who asked not to be named.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

I hadn’t played on a proper soccer team since I was twelve, but we played it in physical education sometimes, when we weren’t doing Net Sports or Whiffle ball or timed mile runs.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram