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 Tai Chi

: 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

The 2026 event celebrates the Year of the Horse with lion dances, folk dances, musical and cultural performances, tai chi and martial arts. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Practices that combine slow, intentional moves with focused attention and breath, such as tai chi, can serve as powerful resets. —Dana Santas, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026

Older adults should also practice balance training through activities like tai chi, yoga or dance to prevent falls. —Laura Baehr, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026

Are tai chi and line dancing the key to staying young? —Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 20 Nov. 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