bodybuilding

noun

body·​build·​ing ˈbä-dē-ˌbil-diŋ 

: the developing of the body through exercise and diet

specifically : the developing of the physique for competitive exhibition

bodybuilder

ˈbä-dē-ˌbil-dər 

noun

Examples of bodybuilding in a Sentence

She's been doing competitive bodybuilding for a few years now.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the rock snobs at Rolling Stone loved her, flying her to New York in ’77 for an extraordinary photo shoot in which Annie Leibovitz paired Parton with an emerging Austrian bodybuilding star. — David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

The former is a fitness, wellness and personal training company and the latter is a production company for a bodybuilding contest called the National Physique Committee Phoenix Natural Noble Warrior competition. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Rex plays Landry Taylor, the ruthless kingpin who controls the film’s bodybuilding world. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Bass points to Arnold Schwarzenegger at the peak of his bodybuilding career as an example of an exceptionally fit individual who would have had a seemingly problematic BMI. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bodybuilding

• boatbuilding
• outbuilding
• rebuilding
• roadbuilding
• shipbuilding
• upbuilding
• building
• gilding

Kids Definition

bodybuilding

noun

body·​build·​ing ˈbäd-ē-ˌbil-diŋ 

: the developing of the body through exercise and diet

bodybuilder

-ˌbil-dər

noun