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aerobic

American  
[ai-roh-, uh-roh-bik] / ɛəˈroʊ-, əˈroʊ bɪk /

adjective

  1. (of an organism or tissue) requiring the presence of air or free oxygen for life.

  2. pertaining to or caused by the presence of oxygen.

  3. of or utilizing the principles of aerobics.

    aerobic exercises;

    aerobic dances.


aerobic British  
/ ɛəˈrəʊbɪk /

adjective

  1. (of an organism or process) depending on oxygen

  2. of or relating to aerobes

  3. designed for or relating to aerobics

    aerobic shoes

    aerobic dances

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

aerobic Scientific  
/ â-rōbĭk /
  1. Occurring in the presence of oxygen or requiring oxygen to live. In aerobic respiration, which is the process used by the cells of most organisms, the production of energy from glucose metabolism requires the presence of oxygen.

  2. Compare anaerobic


aerobic Cultural  
  1. In biology, a descriptive term for organisms that require the presence of oxygen to live. (Compare anaerobic.)


Discover More

Aerobic exercise, such as running, swimming, and doing calisthenics for an extended time, is designed to improve the body's use of oxygen.

Other Word Forms

  • aerobically adverb
  • nonaerobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aerobic

First recorded in 1880–85; aerobe + -ic

Compare meaning

How does aerobic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, programs that combined different types of activity and resistance training appeared more effective than aerobic exercise alone.

From Science Daily

“It’s great for aerobic conditioning, losing weight and muscle toning. It’s also low-impact, so reduces risks of getting injured.”

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Todd's attire was not too unusual for Portland, known for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that revel in the absurd - public yoga and 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups.

From BBC

By day he joined guests, mainly Western tourists, in pool sessions of aerobics and water polo, while at night he helped stage dance shows and quiz contests.

From BBC

The medication also appeared to limit gains in aerobic capacity and lessen positive changes in inflammation and fasting blood glucose.

From Science Daily