bodybuilding

noun

body·​build·​ing ˈbä-dē-ˌbil-diŋ How to pronounce bodybuilding (audio)
: the developing of the body through exercise and diet
specifically : the developing of the physique for competitive exhibition
bodybuilder noun

Examples of bodybuilding in a Sentence

She's been doing competitive bodybuilding for a few years now.
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.
Arnold went directly from his bodybuilding career to starring roles in action films like Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator. Meredith Kile, People.com, 3 June 2025 The traditional bodybuilding protocol has been to start with a loading dose—usually 20 grams per day, broken up into four 5-gram doses, for a week—to quickly saturate muscles. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 28 May 2025 The actress, whose mother was Jayne Mansfield, had believed for years that her father was Mickey Hargitay, the Hungarian bodybuilding champion who became an actor. Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025 The YouTube bodybuilding community’s rising star continues to shine: Sam Sulek is now officially an IFBB Pro bodybuilder. Dimitar 'mix' Mihov, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bodybuilding

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bodybuilding was in 1884

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bodybuilding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bodybuilding. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

bodybuilding

noun
body·​build·​ing ˈbäd-ē-ˌbil-diŋ How to pronounce bodybuilding (audio)
: the developing of the body through exercise and diet
bodybuilder
-ˌbil-dər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bodybuilding

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!