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.

Examples of aerobic in a Sentence

aerobic exercises like running and swimming

aerobic organisms such as bacteria

Recent Examples on the Web

For aerobic exercise like brisk walking or jogging, start slow and gradually increase speed by taking longer strides or more frequent strides. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 11 Apr. 2024

For depression, Saltz recommends talking to a trusted person, whether a supportive friend or a therapist, as well as aerobic exercise, and helping others out — by writing to your congressional representative or writing a check or volunteering in some way. —Andrea Kane, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

Heart rate and exercise intensity The gold standard for determining aerobic exercise intensity is to measure the amount of oxygen consumed and carbon dioxide exhaled. —Jason Sawyer, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2024

What Else Exercise Can Do for You Both aerobic and strength training offer health benefits beyond fat loss. —Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2024

Some evidence suggests that aerobic exercise can help alleviate social anxiety.6 Aim for 150 minutes of mild-intensity aerobic exercise per week, which is 30 minutes per day, five days per week. —Anthea Levi, Health, 24 Mar. 2024

For moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, women could do half the amount of men each week to achieve the benefit. —Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 20 Mar. 2024

Other research suggests pairing weights with aerobic exercise can lower the risk of early death. —Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2024

Researchers concluded that aerobic exercise—like biking, cross-training, and walking briskly—could help in migraine prevention treatment.25 15. —Amanda MacMillan, Health, 26 Feb. 2024

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