tai chi

noun, often capitalized T&C \ ˈtī-ˈchē , ˈtī-ˈjē \

variants: or less commonly t'ai chi

|Updated on: 21 Jul 2018

Definition of tai chi

: an ancient Chinese discipline of meditative movements practiced as a system of exercises — called also tai chi chuan, t'ai chi ch'uan play \ˈtī-ˈchē-chü-ˈän, ˈtī-ˈjē-\

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Recent Examples of tai chi from the Web

Fourth District Seniors Resource Center, Southeast San Diego — Line dancing, tai chi and strength training, glide and stride walkers, personal growth and development classes, table games, pool table and yoga.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Senior fitness: Keeping body and mind in shape," 24 Apr. 2018
All participants receive classes in yoga, tai chi, stage combat and body awareness.

— paul hodgins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Opera NEO blazes new trails on a shoestring, focusing on education and unpredictability," 1 July 2018
In recreation rooms, some boys watched a soccer match on TV; some took part in a tai chi class; others played pool or foosball (in one case with a cue ball).

— bob ortega, CNN, "What it's like inside the former superstore in Texas where the US is holding 1,400 immigrant children," 14 June 2018
The activities include new meditation classes, tai chi, healthy cooking demonstrations and on-board book clubs.

— gene sloan, USA TODAY, "Oprah Winfrey to christen a Holland America cruise ship, Nieuw Statendam," 13 June 2018
This includes an indoor pool and Jacuzzi, exercise programs, tai chi, live entertainment and educational speakers.

— emily sorensen, Pomerado News, "Westmont Town Court: assisted living with a strong community," 7 June 2018
Participants had plenty of options before the start of the main events as instructors from local yoga, tai chi and zumba classes provided a healthy warm-up to those about to embark on the lengthier activities.

— marty pearl, The Courier-Journal, "Hike, Bike & Paddle 2018 brings impressive crowd to Waterfront Park," 28 May 2018
Today, along the grand moat of the former royal palace, Chinese music rings out as people perform tai chi exercises, a sign of an uneasy transformation taking place in Myanmar’s second-largest city.

— Washington Post, "Chinese influx transforming Myanmar’s quintessential city," 1 May 2018
Some played pool, or joined a tai chi session in the rec room.

— New York Times, "Inside the Former Walmart That Is Now a Shelter for Almost 1,500 Migrant Children," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tai chi.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tai chi

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1954

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

TAI CHI Defined for English Language Learners

tai chi

noun

Definition of tai chi for English Language Learners

: a Chinese form of exercise that uses very slow and controlled movements

Medical Dictionary

tai chi

noun, often capitalized T&C

variants: also t'ai chi play \ˈtī-ˈjē, -ˈchē\

medical Definition of tai chi

: an ancient Chinese discipline involving a continuous series of controlled usually slow movements designed to improve physical and mental well-being — called also t'ai chi ch'uan, tai chi chuan\-chü-ˈän\