physical education

American  

noun

1. systematic instruction in sports, exercises, and hygiene given as part of a school or college program.

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physical education British  

noun

1.  PE.  training and practice in sports, gymnastics, etc, as in schools and colleges

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Etymology

Origin of physical education

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

physical education

CEO Arthur Lih believes every school should have them in the cafeteria, the nurse’s office, the principal’s office and the physical education department.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

Many schools are housed in beautiful old palazzi - they were never designed with modern physical education in mind.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

This small-group instruction is "almost personalized" and more "efficient" than typical classes, added Clarisse Naud, a physical education adviser.

From Barron's ● Feb. 10, 2026

Schwarz, an urban ecologist, said she was surprised to learn about the extent to which regulations requiring non-grass surfaces for sports and outdoor physical education dictated the design of some schoolyards.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2025

Back home, at Chapel Hill High School, we didn’t shower after physical education.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram