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

Example Sentences

Cancer cells are known to alter their metabolism, relying heavily on aerobic glycolysis to rapidly generate energy.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

These enzymes are essential for aerobic respiration because they convert oxygen into water.

From Science Daily • Feb. 18, 2026

Their findings could represent some of the earliest signs of aerobic respiration on Earth.

From Science Daily • Feb. 18, 2026

Those in the exercise group completed two supervised 60-minute workout sessions each week in a laboratory and added home-based exercise to reach roughly 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026

They’re not talking about the real heart, the one that only needs healthy foods and aerobic exercise.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon