Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

conditioning

play
noun con·di·tion·ing \ kən-ˈdi-sh(ə-)niŋ \

Definition of conditioning

1 :the process of training to become physically fit by a regimen of exercise, diet, and rest; also :the resulting state of physical fitness
2 :a simple form of learning involving the formation, strengthening, or weakening of an association between a stimulus and a response

See conditioning defined for English-language learners

Explore Merriam-Webster

alt-59c4207ecf106
Let's Talk 'Tea'
alt-59c448f88ea38
Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'
young-plant-shoots
Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!
image1644821030
These Are Fighting Words

Examples of conditioning in a Sentence

  1. the team's excellent physical conditioning

  2. With the proper conditioning, the horse will learn to trust and obey its handler.

Recent Examples of conditioning from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conditioning.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of conditioning

1861

conditioning Synonyms

Synonyms
activity, exercise, exertion
Related Words
training, warm-up, workout; toning, trimming; aerobics, athletics, bodybuilding, body mechanics, calisthenics, gymnastics, isometrics, plyometrics, slimnastics, weight lifting; physical therapy

CONDITIONING Defined for English Language Learners

conditioning

play
noun

Definition of conditioning for English Language Learners

  • : the process of becoming stronger and healthier by following a regular exercise program and diet

  • : the act or process of training a person or animal to do something or to behave in a certain way in a particular situation

Medical Dictionary

conditioning

play
noun con·di·tion·ing \ kən-ˈdish-(ə-)niŋ \

medical Definition of conditioning

1 :the process of training to become physically fit by a regimen of exercise, diet, and rest
  • Good shoes and proper conditioning are the best bets for avoiding shin splints.
  • —Current Health,  November 1982
  • He also got serious about his physical conditioning with a regimen that includes Pilates, weights and cardio training.
  • —Alan Shipnuck,  Sports Illustrated,  9 Sept. 2002
; also :the resulting state of physical fitness
  • Triathletes maintained their aerobic conditioning while developing new skills and strengthening neglected muscles.
  • —Marlene Adrian,  Shape,  September 1991
2 :a simple form of learning involving the formation, strengthening, or weakening of an association between a stimulus and a response
  • According to the theory, learning or conditioning is the process by which behavior is systematically and lastingly changed.
  • —Harvard Mental Health Letter,  December l990
  • … aversive conditioning to tie undesirable actions to unpleasant stimuli and thereby break habits.
  • —The New York Times Magazine,  26 Oct. 1980
— see classical conditioning, operant conditioning

Learn More about conditioning

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for conditioning Nglish: Translation of conditioning for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of conditioning for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conditioning

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up conditioning? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

yeasty

play

of yeast or being unsettled or frivolous

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. dotage, dotard a state or period of senile decay

  2. otherwise "in other respects"

  3. federalism Graham says bill gives power to states

  4. bodega "Don’t mess with the beloved bodega."

  5. carceral Of, relating to, or suggesting a jail or prison

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

conditioning

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

  • young-plant-shoots
  • Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-59c4207ecf106
Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

image1644821030
8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

alt-59c2960017c94
The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

image536372841
Silent Letters

When each letter can be seen but not heard

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots
Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz
stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy
Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz
Dictionary Devil
Dictionary Devil

The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?

Play the game
Examples: conditioning in a Sentence