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

High-intensity aerobic exercise, learning new languages and taking on cognitively demanding hobbies like chess can bolster your brain’s neuroplastic abilities, while things like chronic stress can hinder it.

From Science Daily

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

From Science Daily

For depression, aerobic activity, especially when delivered in supervised or group settings, produced the largest benefits.

From Science Daily

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 quizzes.

From BBC

From the outside, it's just a public leisure centre on the edge of town, with sprightly pensioners staying flexible in aerobics classes and excitable kids in for swimming lessons.

From BBC