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

Aspiring physical education teacher Gao Yemiao missed his 30-second window to buy a train ticket home for China's biggest holiday before seats sold out -- but he was lucky.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 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

There, the physical education graduate hopes to pick up swimming classes to pay his way.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

Hodgkiss had been a football coach and physical education teacher at Bishop Montgomery for 15 years until he was fired last week.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

There he coined the term physical education and took his appalled young charges on brisk rambles of thirty-five or forty miles over the neighboring mountains.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson