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

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

She never thought this sport she sometimes teaches in her elementary physical education classes could become this big.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2025

So much so that, even before hanging up his boots, he was already preparing by starting a degree in physical education in Porto.

From BBC ● Dec. 17, 2024

I hadn’t played on a proper soccer team since I was twelve, but we played it in physical education sometimes, when we weren’t doing Net Sports or Whiffle ball or timed mile runs.

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