phys·i·cal | \ ˈfi-zi-kəl 
\
\Definition of physical
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : of or relating to natural science
b(1) : of or relating to physics
(2) : characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
2a : 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
b : of or relating to material things
3a : 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
physical
nounDefinition of physical (Entry 2 of 2)
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Other Words from physical
Adjective
physicalness \ ˈfi-zi-kəl-nəs \ noun
\ nounSynonyms & Antonyms for physical
Synonyms: Adjective
Antonyms: Adjective
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Seating arrangements will provide for physical distance.
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Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, "Auburn fan guide for 2020 home game against Arkansas," 9 Oct. 2020 If Trump ends up agreeing to the virtual debate next week, might the physical distance between the candidates help?
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Matt Simon, Wired, "Why These Cursed Debates Made You Feel So Upset," 9 Oct. 2020 Inside this tennis bubble, as in the world at large, the virus is encouraging not just physical distance between people.
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New York Times, "A Hotel Shows the French Open Is Another Sports Bubble That Isn’t," 30 Sep. 2020 The vast amount of space allows every child in Manhattan to attend school in-person, every day, while maintaining safe physical distance.
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Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, "Mourning the Autumn in New York City That Could Have Been," 29 Sep. 2020 Fauci urged Americans to intensify public health measures, which include wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, frequent hand washing and staying home when sick.
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Kayla Rivas, Fox News, "Fauci calls Florida lift on restaurant restrictions ‘very concerning’," 28 Sep. 2020 Wearing masks, washing hands, disinfecting surfaces, and maintaining physical distance are all important tools in the fight against Covid-19.
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Alexandra Ossola, Quartz, "What everyone should know about ventilation and preventing Covid-19," 28 Sep. 2020 Everyone interacting must wear masks and maintain physical distance.
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Elyssa Cherney, chicagotribune.com, "After ‘notable decrease in parties’ and a drop in COVID-19 cases, Northern Illinois University will resume in-person classes," 25 Sep. 2020 Players will only be allowed to eat in set areas and must maintain physical distance in the canteen area.
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Washington Post, "Here’s how League of Legends Esports plans to keep its players safe from covid-19 at Worlds," 25 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Trump’s two-hour visit to the military hospital on Nov. 16, eight months after his annual physical, had not been listed on his public schedule.
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Anchorage Daily News, "Walter Reed hospital staffers were required to sign nondisclosure agreements during Trump’s mysterious 2019 visit," 8 Oct. 2020 The commander-in-chief undergoes an annual physical, and information released from those examinations offers a mixed picture of his risk to coronavirus.
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Michael Greshko, National Geographic, "What President Trump’s emergency COVID-19 therapies say about his condition," 5 Oct. 2020 President Trump last went for his annual physical in November 2019.
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Paul Best, Fox News, "The history of Walter Reed, the 'Presidents' Hospital'," 3 Oct. 2020 The mental component of playing tennis is as important as the physical, and that’s a key area for Hinsdale Central sophomore Nicole Hu.
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Gregg Voss, chicagotribune.com, "Hinsdale Central’s Nicole Hu happy to be back playing tennis with her high school teammates because ‘I love them so much.’," 18 Sep. 2020 For the first time in 30 years, Fredericks scheduled a physical.
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Karina Bland, The Arizona Republic, "In a hospital for children, a 70-year-old man gives hope for doctors and patients," 2 Sep. 2020 Rapoport said that the team gave Thomas a physical, but chose not to work him out, and that COVID-19 protocols were one of the reasons why.
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Tim Bielik, cleveland, "Titans' Week 4 game vs. Steelers postponed after a fourth Titans’ player tested positive for COVID-19: NFL news roundup," 30 Sep. 2020 In early March, an examination that was prompted by low iron levels in his entry physical revealed a malignant tumor in his colon.
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Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "As Trey Mancini finishes chemotherapy, Orioles deliver team photo signed with congratulatory messages," 21 Sep. 2020 Beasley didn’t pass his physical until Sept. 5 after spending training camp on the non-football injury list.
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Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Titans vs. Broncos live stream: How to watch Monday Night Football online, TV, time," 14 Sep. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'physical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for physical
physical
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of physical
(Entry 1 of 2)
: relating to the body of a person instead of the mind
: existing in a form that you can touch or see
: involving or related to sex
physical
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of physical (Entry 2 of 2)
: a medical examination to see if a person's body is healthy
See the full definition for physical in the English Language Learners Dictionary
physical
adjectivephys·i·cal | \ ˈfi-zi-kəl \
\Kids Definition of physical
1 : of the body : bodily A stallion with a wonderful physical perfection …— Walter Farley, The Black Stallion
2 : existing in a form that can be touched or seen
physical objects
3 : of or relating to physics
physical
adjectivephys·i·cal | \ ˈfiz-i-kəl \
\Medical Definition of physical
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : having material existence : perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
2a : of or relating to physics
b : characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
3 : of or relating to the body
Other Words from physical
physically \ -k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbphysical
nounMedical Definition of physical (Entry 2 of 2)
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Time Traveler for physical
The first known use of physical was in 1580
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