phys·i·cal
ˈfi-zi-kəl 
1
a
: of or relating to natural science
b(1)
: of or relating to physics
(2)
: characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
2
a
: having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
everything physical is measurable by weight, motion, and resistance—
Thomas De Quincey
Thomas De Quincey
b
: of or relating to material things
3
a
: of or relating to the body
physical abuse
c
: characterized by especially rugged and forceful physical activity : rough
a physical hockey game
a physical player
Synonyms
Examples of physical in a Sentence
Adjective
The program is designed to address both physical and emotional health.
No physical contact with other players is allowed in the game.
He has an unusual physical appearance.
There was no physical evidence of the crime.
Their relationship was purely physical.
Recent Examples on the WebRachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2023
Pricey Exfoliant type: Chemical and physical Size: 6 oz.
—Deanna Pai, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2023
Trauma can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental, physical, social, emotional and/or spiritual well-being.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2023
The sales cycle is so slow that most deals close weeks or months after physical markets.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Dec. 2023
This year’s event landed at the Avalon near Hollywood and Vine, with Calla and her team working through September on how to make the physical experience accessible for a broad range of people, inside and outside of the venue.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2023
In the filing, the actress asked for sole legal and physical custody of their 11-year-old daughter, Lula Boginia.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2023
There’s also her millions of digital and physical album sales — the Lover artist has about five million, according Luminate — and merchandise sales, plus tickets sold for her Eras Tour.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2023
The agency has also collected video and physical evidence that links the same man to the three crimes.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Great sound defensive, aggressive, strong physical.
—Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 10 Sep. 2023
Crenshaw should be even stronger when two top players finish completing physicals to become eligible.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
Bailey had been cleared by a cardiologist and passed his physicals to participate in athletics, his mother said.
—Katia Parks, Baltimore Sun, 11 Sep. 2023
With in-depth physicals, that could be safely extended at least five years.
—WSJ, 8 July 2023
New reports on Sunday ahead of the opener indicated that Taylor could pass a physical and have the minimum stay on the PUP list, returning in Week 5.
—Chloe Peterson, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2023
Adams, who missed 16 of 17 games with the injury in 2022, cleared a physical and was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Aug. 24.
—oregonlive, 2 Sep. 2023
All three trades are contingent on Simmons, Jones and Dobbs passing physicals.
—José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 24 Aug. 2023
See More
Adjective
The job requires hard, physical labor, for one thing, plus healthy doses of diplomacy and discretion.
—Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 4 Dec. 2023
Pricey Exfoliant type: Chemical and physical Size: 6 oz.
—Deanna Pai, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2023
Trauma can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental, physical, social, emotional and/or spiritual well-being.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2023
The sales cycle is so slow that most deals close weeks or months after physical markets.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Dec. 2023
This year’s event landed at the Avalon near Hollywood and Vine, with Calla and her team working through September on how to make the physical experience accessible for a broad range of people, inside and outside of the venue.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2023
In the filing, the actress asked for sole legal and physical custody of their 11-year-old daughter, Lula Boginia.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2023
There’s also her millions of digital and physical album sales — the Lover artist has about five million, according Luminate — and merchandise sales, plus tickets sold for her Eras Tour.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2023
The agency has also collected video and physical evidence that links the same man to the three crimes.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
Noun
Recommendations From the Washington Post, a story on how girls are finding football physical and fun.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Great sound defensive, aggressive, strong physical.
—Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 10 Sep. 2023
Crenshaw should be even stronger when two top players finish completing physicals to become eligible.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
Bailey had been cleared by a cardiologist and passed his physicals to participate in athletics, his mother said.
—Katia Parks, Baltimore Sun, 11 Sep. 2023
With in-depth physicals, that could be safely extended at least five years.
—WSJ, 8 July 2023
New reports on Sunday ahead of the opener indicated that Taylor could pass a physical and have the minimum stay on the PUP list, returning in Week 5.
—Chloe Peterson, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2023
Adams, who missed 16 of 17 games with the injury in 2022, cleared a physical and was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Aug. 24.
—oregonlive, 2 Sep. 2023
All three trades are contingent on Simmons, Jones and Dobbs passing physicals.
—José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 24 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing physical
Dictionary Entries Near physical
Cite this Entry
“Physical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
physical
adjective
phys·i·cal
ˈfiz-i-kəl
1
a
: having material existence
b
: of or relating to material things
2
a
: of or relating to natural science
b
: of or relating to physics
3
: of or relating to the body : bodily
physically
adverb
-k(ə-)lē
Medical Definition
physical
1 of 2 adjective
phys·i·cal
ˈfiz-i-kəl
1
: having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
2
a
: of or relating to physics
b
: characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
3
: of or relating to the body
physical
2 of 2 noun
More from Merriam-Webster on physical
Nglish: Translation of physical for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of physical for Arabic Speakers
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