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

For a fall foliage option, Sky Meadow Retreat in Vermont bundles daily yoga, meditation, tai chi, art therapy, sound healing and forest hiking for around $1,600 over four days. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026

For a cooler-climate option, Sky Meadow Retreat in Vermont sits among the hills during peak fall foliage and pairs daily yoga and meditation with tai chi, art therapy, sound healing and forest hiking. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026

The schedule blends yoga, meditation and tai chi. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026

Nearly 4 million practice tai chi, and roughly 14% of adults practice some form of mindful or spiritual meditation. —Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

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