tai chi

noun

ˈtī-ˈchē  ˈtī-ˈjē 

variants or less commonly t'ai chi or tai chi chuan or t'ai chi ch'uan

ˈtī-ˈchē-chü-ˈän,

ˈtī-ˈjē- 

often capitalized T&C

: an ancient Chinese discipline of meditative movements practiced as a system of exercises

Examples of tai chi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the tai chi event, a group of judges watched carefully as the robot competitors moved gracefully to the rhythm of soft music in the background, jotting down notes and scoring the performances with the seriousness of an Olympic panel. —Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2025

Among the exercises studied, yoga, tai chi, and walking or jogging showed the most promising evidence of helping participants fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, with less awakenings. —Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 17 July 2025

Combined with 12-step counseling and other community support, the clinic even used tai chi, a low-impact exercise system that originated in ancient China — and it was taught by a neighborhood kid! —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2025

Key Takeaways Yoga, tai chi, and walking or jogging may help with insomnia, a new research review found. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 17 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) tàijíquán, from tàijí the Absolute in Chinese cosmology + quán fist, boxing

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tai chi

noun

ˈtī-ˈjē 

-ˈchē

often capitalized T&C

: an ancient Chinese system of movements performed for meditation or exercise

Medical Definition

tai chi

noun

variants also t'ai chi

ˈtī-ˈjē, -ˈchē 

or tai chi chuan or t'ai chi ch'uan

-chü-ˈän

often capitalized T&C

: an ancient Chinese discipline involving a continuous series of controlled usually slow movements designed to improve physical and mental well-being