fitness

[ fit-nis ]

noun

1. health.
2. capability of the body of distributing inhaled oxygen to muscle tissue during increased physical effort.
3. Also called Dar·win·i·an fit·ness [dahr-, win, -ee-, uh, n]. Biology.
   1. the genetic contribution of an individual to the next generation's gene pool relative to the average for the population, usually measured by the number of offspring or close kin that survive to reproductive age.
   2. the ability of a population to maintain or increase its numbers in succeeding generations.

fitness

/ ˈfɪtnɪs /

noun

1. the state of being fit
2. biology
   1. the degree of adaptation of an organism to its environment, determined by its genetic constitution
   2. the ability of an organism to produce viable offspring capable of surviving to the next generation

Word History and Origins

Origin of fitness¹

First recorded in 1570–80; fit ¹ + -ness

Example Sentences

“We’re disguising fitness,” said Brett Fuller, the president of SHAPE’s national board of directors, and a curriculum specialist for health and physical education in Milwaukee Public Schools.

From Washington Post

Onlookers and friends have taken note of Adams’s garbage hauling habit, including his fitness trainer, Jamie Bredbenner.

From Washington Post

So, as fitness improves over time, WHOOP has the data to prove it.

From Outside Online

The numbers beat Wall Street expectations and are showing no sign of slowing, with another massive quarter expected for the connected fitness brand.

From TechCrunch

Lieberman knows how to make the science and physiology approachable and has a compassionate view of those of us who struggle to maintain a fitness routine.

From Outside Online

The amenities include a fitness room, a sauna, a beauty parlor, and a karaoke setup.

From The Daily Beast

Sure, your cubicle mate, neighbor, and aunt all own a Fitbit or JawBone fitness tracker.

From The Daily Beast

Exercise improves not only physical fitness and health, but also mood and cognition.

From The Daily Beast

“LCDR Peters is an outstanding Supply Corps officer…” says one one fitness report from 2004.

From The Daily Beast

The NFL, for instance, has a fitness campaign designed to address childhood obesity.

From The Daily Beast

An implied warranty as to quality or fitness for a particular purpose may also be annexed by the usage of trade.

From Project Gutenberg

He could fence, ride, and carry off the prize in games requiring physical prowess as well as mental fitness.

From Project Gutenberg

Ida and Carry were bent upon dressing alike; no easy matter to do, consistently with their perceptions of colours and fitness.

From Project Gutenberg

The special fitness of the notation for the scales of the Enharmonic genus may be regarded as a further indication of its date.

From Project Gutenberg

The close association of Parpon and Valmond—that was droll; yet, too, it had a sort of fitness, she knew scarcely why.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adequacy
• compatibility
• competence
• consistency
• eligibility
• preparedness
• qualification
• readiness
• suitability