aerobic

adjective

aer·​o·​bic ˌer-ˈō-bik 

1

: living, active, or occurring only in the presence of oxygen

aerobic respiration

2

: of, relating to, or induced by aerobes

aerobic fermentation

3

a

: of, relating to, or being activity which increases the body's demand for oxygen thereby resulting in marked temporary increase in respiration and heart rate

stationary bicycles used for aerobic conditioning

an aerobic workout

Aerobic exercise involves pushing your heart rate to 70% to 85% of its maximum, and keeping it there for 20 to 60 minutes at a time.

—Tara Parker-Pope

b

: of or relating to the body's ability to consume oxygen during exercise

… the average exerciser can skip a couple of weeks without experiencing declines in aerobic capacity or the ability of the heart and lungs to supply the muscles with oxygen …

—Consumer Reports on Health

c

: relating to, resulting from, or used in aerobics or aerobic activity

aerobic equipment

aerobically

ˌer-ˈō-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Aerobic exercise is exercise that takes an extended amount of time—usually ten minutes or more—but is usually performed at only moderate intensity. Running, swimming, bicycling, and cross-country skiing are classic aerobic exercises. In 1968 a best-selling book called Aerobics introduced a system of exercise for increasing the body's ability to take in and use oxygen, and today aerobics classes, often mimicking such outdoor exercise as running and bicycling, take place every afternoon in thousands of gyms and YMCAs across the country. Aerobic exercise particularly strengthens the heart and lungs, but usually has many other good effects as well. Aerobic bacteria, which need oxygen to live, are essential for breaking down living matter so that it returns to the soil. They include the famous intestinal E. coli, as well as the staph and strep bacteria that can make a visit to the hospital risky.

Example Sentences

aerobic exercises like running and swimming

aerobic organisms such as bacteria

Recent Examples on the Web

Low-impact aerobic exercise like walking or biking is recommended. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 May 2023

Because walking is an aerobic exercise, many think of its health benefits as being cardiovascular alone. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 9 May 2023

For that and more, see below for a list of the best aerobic steppers that have been tried and tested by reviewers. —Jasmine Gomez, womenshealthmag.com, 13 May 2023

Kids between 5 and 17 years old should be moderately or vigorously active with mostly aerobic exercise for at least an hour a day to reap the physical and mental health benefits, the World Health Organization recommends. —Ashley R. Williams, CNN, 7 May 2023

Sprint workouts have also been seen to improve aerobic and anaerobic capacity. —Emily Abbate, Men's Health, 28 Apr. 2023

According to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than one in four Americans get the minimal amount of aerobic and resistance exercise recommended by the federal government. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 30 Mar. 2023

In 2019, when Driftline—an in-development app that measures aerobic endurance based on heart rate alone—approached him, he was intrigued. —Cassie Shortsleeve, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2023

Choose between this foot spa's vibrating massage, heating and aerobic bubble massage, or a mix of each for supreme woosah. —Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Feb. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

French aérobie "living only in the presence of oxygen" + -ic entry 1 — more at aerobe

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aerobic

adjective

aer·​o·​bic ˌa(-ə)r-ˈō-bik 

ˌe(-ə)r-

1

: living, active, or occurring only in the presence of oxygen

2

: of, relating to, or caused by aerobic organisms (as bacteria)

3

: involving or increasing oxygen use

aerobic exercise

aerobically

-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

aerobic

adjective

aer·​o·​bic ˌa(-ə)r-ˈō-bik, ˌe(-ə)r- 

1

: living, active, or occurring only in the presence of oxygen

aerobic respiration

2

: of, relating to, or induced by aerobes

aerobic fermentation

3

a

: of, relating to, or being activity which increases the body's demand for oxygen thereby resulting in a marked temporary increase in respiration and heart rate

aerobic exercise

b

: of or relating to the body's ability to consume oxygen during exercise

aerobic capacity

c

: relating to, resulting from, or used in aerobics or aerobic activity

aerobic shoes

aerobically

-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb