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

Ease into the weekend with tai chi and qigong classes. —Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025

Stair-climbing was most common in adults younger than 65, while exercise, including tai chi, that strengthened lower body muscles was more common in older adults. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2025

These exercises can be as simple as standing on one foot, but may also include yoga or tai chi. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2025

Alcindor had become especially curious about tai chi. —Jeff Chang september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 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