variants or less commonly t'ai chi or tai chi chuan or t'ai chi ch'uan
ˈtī-ˈchē-chü-ˈän,
ˈtī-ˈjē- How to pronounce tai chi (audio)
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
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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 The interdisciplinary approach here combines yoga poses, meditation, and breathwork (which has its roots in yoga, tai chi, and Buddhism) to encourage participants through personal transformation to a higher level of awareness. AFAR Media, 9 July 2025 Typically, self-care involves meditation, mindfulness, journaling, yoga and tai chi, time in nature, breathing techniques, massage, creative expression and gratitude. Gerry J. Tucker, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tai chi

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tai chi was in 1954

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tai chi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tai%20chi. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

tai chi

noun
ˈtī-ˈjē How to pronounce tai chi (audio)
-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 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tai chi

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