calisthenics
Americannoun
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calisthenics
plural
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(used with a plural verb) gymnastic exercises designed to develop physical health and vigor, usually performed with little or no special apparatus.
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(used with a singular verb) the art, practice, or a session of such exercises.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of calisthenics
1840–50; cali- (variant of calli- ) + Greek sthén ( os ) strength + -ics
Explanation
Calisthenics is exercise, like jumping jacks or pull-ups, that people do to stay in shape or get in better shape. Doing calisthenics usually involves simple movements, like stretching, jumping, bending, and kicking, that don't involve a lot of equipment, if any. Kids in gym class do calisthenics, and calisthenics are helpful to many people, including athletes and people in the military. The push-up is a famous example of calisthenics. Those limber folks on cheerleading squads are masters of calisthenics. A little calisthenics can be helpful in anyone's everyday routine as a way to build endurance and stay healthy.
Vocabulary lists containing calisthenics
Tangerine
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Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam
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Code Talker
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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.
The analysis did not include certain forms of strength training, such as calisthenics and Pilates.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 12, 2026
I believe reading books that challenge me is a great way to practice mental calisthenics.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
I saw people doing calisthenics on the rings and ropes and the volleyball fields buzzing with competition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2024
Instead, reading is like mental calisthenics for film, priming the mind for flights of imagination and empathy.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 16, 2024
“A lot of physical effort, calisthenics, and endurance exercises. A lot of mental intimidation, a lot of inspections.”
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
