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.

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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

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aerobic Scientific  

/ â-rō′bĭk /

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

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aerobic Cultural  

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

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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:

• aerobic vs. anaerobic

Explanation

When you run for a mile, and start breathing hard, get your blood pounding and your heart rate up, you are doing aerobic exercise: exercise that depends on and consumes oxygen. We are aerobic creatures because we breathe air in order to live, and aerobic describes anything that uses oxygen to survive. Most of the time, this word is connected to exercise: activity that increases the rate at which your body uses oxygen. There is an entire exercising industry — quite the craze in the 80s — known simply as aerobics. Aerobics consists of dance moves and jumping exercises designed to get your blood flowing and your heart rate up.

Example Sentences

Aerobic exercise improves mood, cognition and cardiovascular health while reducing inflammation and stress.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

Aerobic activities raise your heart rate and make you breathe more quickly.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

Aerobic training earlier in life is better to prevent — and at younger ages, even reverse — the normal age-related stiffening of the arteries that is a risk factor for hypertension and stroke.

From Washington Post • Feb. 20, 2023

Aerobic respiration, because oxygen is the final electron acceptor.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Aerobic exercise is any type of exercise that gets your heart pumping — it’s also known as cardio exercise.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 23, 2021