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ergogenic

American  
[ur-guh-jen-ik] / ˌɜr gəˈdʒɛn ɪk /

adjective

  1. improving or enhancing physical performance, especially in sports.

    Consuming electrolytes during exercise through sports drinks and other ergogenic aids may help a little.

noun

  1. a substance that improves or enhances physical performance, especially in sports.

    One of the most popular ergogenics in the industry today is nitric oxide.

    Caffeine is a common ergogenic.

Etymology

Origin of ergogenic

First recorded in 1905–10; ergo- 1 ( def. ) + -genic ( def. )

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.

Placebo effects of an ergogenic aid on athletic performance.

From Textbooks • Mar. 27, 2020

He pointed out the curiously non-additive mathematics of ergogenic aids.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 15, 2016

Then there’s caffeine, the most versatile ergogenic aid of all, which fights mental fatigue and may also have effects on muscle contraction and metabolism.

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2014

McClung, M. Collins, D. “Because I know it will!”: placebo effects of an ergogenic aid on athletic performance.

From Textbooks • Sep. 19, 2013

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.