able-bodied

adjective

able-bod·​ied ˌā-bəl-ˈbä-dēd How to pronounce able-bodied (audio)
: having a sound strong body

Examples of able-bodied in a Sentence

every able-bodied young man in the village had been sent off to fight in the war
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, some have raised concerns that introducing work requirements would lead to many losing access to critical health services, on the basis that many able-bodied people using Medicaid are already in work, so the work requirements could target those who are either disabled or unable to work. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 Fighting for body acceptance and against harmful stereotypes means dismantling the harmful belief that only thin, able-bodied people are deserving of kindness, credibility, or quality care. Essence, 25 Mar. 2025 By contrast, if able-bodied people who apply for programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, what used to be called food stamps) have an incentive to work, some of them might even lift themselves out of poverty. Peter Ubel, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 But Republicans can win the debate by rallying around a simple policy: Stop states from putting able-bodied adults ahead of the disabled and elderly. David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for able-bodied

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of able-bodied was in 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Able-bodied.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/able-bodied. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

able-bodied

adjective
able-bod·​ied
ˌā-bəl-ˈbäd-ēd
: having a healthy strong body : physically fit

More from Merriam-Webster on able-bodied

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