fitness

noun

fit·​ness ˈfit-nəs How to pronounce fitness (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being fit
2
: the capacity of an organism to survive and transmit its genotype to reproductive offspring as compared to competing organisms
also : the contribution of an allele or genotype to the gene pool of subsequent generations as compared to that of other alleles or genotypes

Examples of fitness in a Sentence

a gymnastics program promoting fitness and agility in school-aged children I have to question the fitness of wearing a bright red dress to a funeral.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Captain Ricardo Pereira and Bobby De Cordova-Reid have returned to fitness, with the latter providing Cifuentes with another option in the No 10 position, although Aaron Ramsey and Page remain younger options. Rob Tanner, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 The watch is the perfect fitness partner and will track steps, calories burned, your heart rate and more. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025 Promising more than your routine sweat session, the Life Time luxury fitness center under construction on a full city block in Chula Vista will open to the public in December, the company said this week. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025 According to Coleman, the Longevity Bundle is suitable for someone just starting their fitness journey. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fitness

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fitness was in 1580

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Cite this Entry

“Fitness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fitness. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

fitness

noun
fit·​ness ˈfit-nəs How to pronounce fitness (audio)
: the capacity of an organism to survive and transmit its genotype to reproductively fertile offspring as compared to competing organisms
also : the contribution of an allele or genotype to the gene pool of subsequent generations as compared to that of other alleles or genotypes

More from Merriam-Webster on fitness

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