Pilates
noun
Pi·la·tes
pə-ˈlä-tēz 
: an exercise regimen that is typically performed on a floor mat or with the use of specialized apparatus and aims to improve flexibility and stability by strengthening the muscles and especially the torso-stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and lower back
Long popular with dancers, Pilates recently has attracted a huge surge of athletes, models, actors and other body-conscious folks.—
Patricia Hagen
Patricia HagenShe does intensive Pilates, deep-muscle floor exercises and stretches.—Cosmopolitan
CosmopolitanExamples of Pilates in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some exercises that introverts would likely gravitate towards are:
Solo running
Yoga
Pilates
Anything that can be done at home
Want to stand out, grow your network, and get more job opportunities?
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2025
Angela Craig was known to be very active and loved exercising on her stationary bike, doing yoga and Pilates, her 21-year-old daughter testified.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
On the other hand, the slapstick of Leanne attempting Zumba or Pilates helps widen Morgan’s comedic range, showing a talent for slapstick as well as a turn of phrase.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 31 July 2025
With his strange machines and an uncanny, intuitive understanding of muscles, Joseph Pilates created a new technique for improving strength and movement.
—Alma Guillermoprieto, The New York Review of Books, 31 July 2025
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Renée Onque, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2025
Angela Craig was known to be very active and loved exercising on her stationary bike, doing yoga and Pilates, her 21-year-old daughter testified.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
On the other hand, the slapstick of Leanne attempting Zumba or Pilates helps widen Morgan’s comedic range, showing a talent for slapstick as well as a turn of phrase.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 31 July 2025
With his strange machines and an uncanny, intuitive understanding of muscles, Joseph Pilates created a new technique for improving strength and movement.
—Alma Guillermoprieto, The New York Review of Books, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Pilates
Cite this Entry
“Pilates.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pilates. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Pilates
noun
Pi·la·tes
pə-ˈlä-tēz
: an exercise regimen typically performed with the use of specialized apparatus and designed to improve the overall condition of the body
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