able-bodied

adjective

able-bod·​ied ˌā-bəl-ˈbä-dēd How to pronounce able-bodied (audio)
: having a sound strong body

Examples of able-bodied in a Sentence

every able-bodied young man in the village had been sent off to fight in the war
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, expanded Medicaid eligibility to able-bodied, working adults. Adam A. Millsap, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 Older Americans receiving food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, would also see the program’s current work requirement for able-bodied participants without dependents extended to include those ages 55-64. Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025 One of the biggest current provisions of the bill would impose a requirement that able-bodied adults on Medicaid spend at least 80 hours a month working, in school or engaged in community service. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025 Other modest reforms include adding a part-time work requirement (80 hours per month) for able-bodied adults between the ages of 19 and 64 and asking the Obamacare population (rather than previously eligible individuals) to pay up to $35 for some services covered under Medicaid. The Editors, National Review, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for able-bodied

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of able-bodied was in 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Able-bodied.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/able-bodied. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

able-bodied

adjective
able-bod·​ied
ˌā-bəl-ˈbäd-ēd
: having a healthy strong body : physically fit

More from Merriam-Webster on able-bodied

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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