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.
What To Know Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that able-bodied people who are not working should not be using Medicaid, but has made promises that the popular health care program would not be cut. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 If approved, able-bodied AHCCCS recipients would have to work or attend school at least 20 hours per week and could receive health coverage for a maximum of five years. Jessica Boehm, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults with disabilities, for example, face even greater health-care barriers than their able-bodied counterparts. Tamara "tam" MacKroy, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2025 The idea most likely to win congressional approval would require every able-bodied adult to work, or at least actively look for work, to be eligible for Medicaid. Howard Gleckman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 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 10 Mar. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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