el·lip·ti·cal
i-ˈlip-ti-kəl 
e-
variants
or elliptic
i-ˈlip-tik
e-
1
: of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse
2
a
: of, relating to, or marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis
b(1)
: of, relating to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing
(2)
: of or relating to deliberate obscurity (as of literary or conversational style)
plural ellipticals
1
: elliptical galaxy
In Hubble's scheme, galaxies are divided into ellipticals and spirals.—
Roberto G. Abraham et al.
Roberto G. Abraham et al.2
: elliptical trainer
Ellipticals move in a smooth, oval motion, like riding a bike standing up, and offer great features like your beloved treadmill.—Monique Savin
Monique Savin
Synonyms
Examples of elliptical in a Sentence
Adjective
The moon follows an elliptical path around the Earth.
a writer with an elliptical style
Recent Examples on the WebJoshua Sokol, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
The resulting data will help measure the sun’s oblateness, or how much it has been flattened into a more elliptical shape by its rotation and internal dynamics, from solar tides to flows of gas.
—Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
Even relatively few observations of an object anywhere along its trajectory can distinguish between these forms, with objects that are gravitationally bound following circular and elliptical trajectories.
—Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024
The gym gear includes an elliptical machine, Nordic spinning bike, weight benches, treadmill, rowing machine, and punching bags.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024
Cardio equipment: Depending on your preference and space, choose a treadmill, elliptical machine or stationary bike for cardiovascular health and calorie burning.
—The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024
Planet Fitness and other gyms have scaled back treadmills and elliptical machines in gyms to create more room for weight training and stretching areas.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Finally, both experts agreed that any shoe that can be used for another form of running can be used on elliptical.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024
This is because the moon's orbit around Earth (and Earth's orbit around the sun) are elliptical, so the precise distances between the three bodies change, according to NASA.
—USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024
Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2024
The resort’s fitness center, open 24 hours, includes treadmills, ellipticals, and free weights.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2023
How to shop for an elliptical during Cyber Monday As SELF has previously reported, your budget and living space should be top-of-mind when shopping for ellipticals.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 28 Nov. 2022
Though most under-desk ellipticals can execute this task, the Cubii JR1 does it phenomenally.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 21 July 2023
Zen Moments After a workout in the gym (treadmills, ellipticals and free weights are a few things available), a trip to the Cloud 9 Spa is a just reward.
—Dwight Brown, Essence, 11 July 2023
The Winner Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel
With terraces overlooking Piazza del Popolo — one of the most impressive squares (well, ellipticals) in Italy — Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel, is a classic Roman favorite with an unexpected secret.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023
This under-desk elliptical is excellent for those who seek easygoing pedaling.
—Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2023
This under-the-desk bike quietly glides like an elliptical without sacrificing space, thanks to its compact size (24.5 x 17 inches).
—Katrina Cossey, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2023
Adjective
Cycle three: Because the moon’s elliptical orbit draws it nearer and farther away from Earth, the moon also oscillates its apparent size and speed in the skies over Earth, a cycle that takes about 27.5546 days.
—Joshua Sokol, Quanta Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
The resulting data will help measure the sun’s oblateness, or how much it has been flattened into a more elliptical shape by its rotation and internal dynamics, from solar tides to flows of gas.
—Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
Even relatively few observations of an object anywhere along its trajectory can distinguish between these forms, with objects that are gravitationally bound following circular and elliptical trajectories.
—Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024
The gym gear includes an elliptical machine, Nordic spinning bike, weight benches, treadmill, rowing machine, and punching bags.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024
Cardio equipment: Depending on your preference and space, choose a treadmill, elliptical machine or stationary bike for cardiovascular health and calorie burning.
—The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024
Planet Fitness and other gyms have scaled back treadmills and elliptical machines in gyms to create more room for weight training and stretching areas.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Finally, both experts agreed that any shoe that can be used for another form of running can be used on elliptical.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024
This is because the moon's orbit around Earth (and Earth's orbit around the sun) are elliptical, so the precise distances between the three bodies change, according to NASA.
—USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024
Noun
In the modern universe galaxies seem to come in two basic forms: featureless, roundish clouds called ellipticals, and flat, spidery discs like our Milky Way home.
—Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2024
The resort’s fitness center, open 24 hours, includes treadmills, ellipticals, and free weights.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2023
How to shop for an elliptical during Cyber Monday As SELF has previously reported, your budget and living space should be top-of-mind when shopping for ellipticals.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 28 Nov. 2022
Though most under-desk ellipticals can execute this task, the Cubii JR1 does it phenomenally.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 21 July 2023
Zen Moments After a workout in the gym (treadmills, ellipticals and free weights are a few things available), a trip to the Cloud 9 Spa is a just reward.
—Dwight Brown, Essence, 11 July 2023
The Winner Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel
With terraces overlooking Piazza del Popolo — one of the most impressive squares (well, ellipticals) in Italy — Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel, is a classic Roman favorite with an unexpected secret.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023
This under-desk elliptical is excellent for those who seek easygoing pedaling.
—Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2023
This under-the-desk bike quietly glides like an elliptical without sacrificing space, thanks to its compact size (24.5 x 17 inches).
—Katrina Cossey, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elliptical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing elliptical
Dictionary Entries Near elliptical
Cite this Entry
“Elliptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elliptical. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on elliptical
Nglish: Translation of elliptical for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of elliptical for Arabic Speakers
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